Advocacy

Healthcare for All Virginians: VCU SOM Students Support Medicaid Expansion

By: Kevin Kurack Medicaid expansion has always been an issue very close to my heart as a future health care professional. Over the past few summers, I volunteered at Remote Area Medical (RAM) – a traveling free health care clinic in Wise County, Virginia—the heart of Appalachia coal-country. Thousands of uninsured Virginians come to RAM...

Reflecting on AMSA Advocacy Day on The Hill: New skills, new bridges

By: Frances Gill Last year in 2017, as the Tulane University AMSA chapter Advocacy Chair, I flew to Washington, D.C., for the AMSA National Convention’s Advocacy Day to lobby Louisiana’s representatives—Senators Cassidy and Kennedy, especially—in favor of preserving the Affordable Care Act. Lobbying? The Hill? Arguing with an authority figure? All this was brand new...

Lessons from Puerto Rico: We’re stronger together

By: Tanisha Rivera I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. I’ve experienced firsthand the devastating effects Hurricane Maria has had on my local community and the Caribbean as a whole. In life, there will inevitably be highs and lows that point out our fragile stability. Sadly, this catastrophic event was a startling reminder of...

Medical trainee advocates: Speak now, even if your voice quivers

By: Benjamin Duong “Speak now, even if your voice quivers,” are words I’ve heard AMSA Fellows say to center themselves, like palming a paper clip before speeches. I know that feeling. My first time in Washington, D.C., to meet with elected officials about anything was AMSA Advocacy Day. I was an Advocacy Liaison who trained...