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FEDERATION OF TEXAS PSYCHIATRY

CAPITOL DAY 2023 • MARCH 7

To be held in conjunction with Texas Medical Association’s First Tuesdays at the Capitol

Support Psychiatry and Medicine in 2023

Welcome to the Federation of Texas Psychiatry’s Capitol Day 2023! Organizations that are members of the Federation are: Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians, Texas Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Texas Academy of Psychiatry, Texas Foundation for Psychiatric Education and Research, Texas Medical Association and Texas Osteopathic Medical Association. Wear your White Coat and plan to join us on MARCH 7 during the Texas Medical Association’s First Tuesdays at the Capitol event to advocate for persons with mental illnesses and for state policies that will improve their access to appropriate patient care and treatment from qualified providers; responsible mental health reforms and funding for medical residency programs.

The Family of Medicine Needs YOU! The “White Coat Invasion” has been the key to physicians’ successes in the Texas Legislature since the inception of TMA’s First Tuesdays at the Capitol in 2003. Our senators and representatives listen when their hometown doctors appear in their offices. Our influence is so much greater when physicians and alliance members arrive en masse in the House and Senate galleries. It’s time again to bring out Texas medicine’s strongest weapon. Join us during the 88th Texas Legislature on MARCH 7. As part of the Federation of Texas Psychiatry’s Capitol Day and TMA’s First Tuesdays at the Capitol, you will:

✔ Make a difference now and for Psychiatry’s future.

✔ Become well-versed on the issues facing Psychiatry in the 2023 session.

✔ Inform your senator and representative and their aides about these issues.

What To Do Now

1. Register now to attend the 2023 First Tuesdays at the Capitol. Go to texmed.org/FirstTuesdays to register and make hotel reservations (discounted rate through Feb. 20). Still need a hotel room for March? Please call Jennifer Johnson at 512-617-2575 for a room at the TMA block rate, or check for nearby accommodations.).
2. After registering with TMA, complete the Federation of Texas Psychiatry Registration Form to confirm you have registered and that you will be attending the online training session on March 6 and in-person Federation Capitol Day on March 7. Your Psychiatry Legislative Issues and Talking Points packet of information will be given to you at the event.
3. Mark your calendar for online training with Eric Woomer on MARCH 6 at 5pm and in-person at the TMA building on MARCH 7. Remember to wear your white coat on Capitol Day!
4. Make an appointment with your legislators. Please contact Federation of Texas Psychiatry’s Public Policy Analyst, Eric Woomer for additional information and assistance.

RFM Members: Travel reimbursement funds for automobile mileage and parking is available from the TSPP Resident-Fellow Member Travel Scholarship for 3 or more RFM who are Members of TSPP, TSCAP or TAP and travel together and attend Capitol Day. To apply, the RFM Member who will be responsible for bringing 3 or more RFMs to Capitol Day should complete the TSPP Registration Form and once you receive an email confirmation from TSPP that all RFMs are members, then each RFM must register at texmed.org/FirstTuesdays. Following your participation in the Federation’s Capitol Day event, submit your expenses to TSPP for your automobile mileage to and from Capitol Day (and parking if required) and your name and address for reimbursement.

Please help spread the word that the Federation of Texas Psychiatry Capitol Day 2023 needs psychiatrists from all over Texas, and that it is open to all members. If you have ever participated at the Federation’s Mental Illness Awareness Coalition Capitol Day or TMA First Tuesdays, tell your colleagues what a rewarding experience it was to walk down the halls of the Texas Legislature in your white coat. If have any questions or need additional information, please email tspp@txpsych.org or call 512-478-0605.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

AGENDA

MARCH 6

5-6 pm – Online Advocacy Training with the Federation of Texas Psychiatry’s Public Policy Analyst, Eric Woomer. RSVP by completing the Registration Form to receive the meeting link.

MARCH 7

TMA’s First Tuesdays at the Capitol will take place at the TMA Thompson Auditorium, 401 W. 15th St., Austin, and at the Texas Capitol.

Free parking is available for all First Tuesdays attendees at the TMA garage. The entrance is off San Antonio St. Additional parking across the street at Moody Bank Tower across the street if TMA garage is full.

6:45 am – TMA Registration and Breakfast

7:15 am – TMA Program: Kick-Off and Special TMA Alliance Recognition

7:30 am – TMA Program: Keynote Speaker Address – State Rep. Suleman Lalani, MD

7:40-8:20 am – TMA Program: Hot Topics and Issues Briefing

8:25 am –Walk to the Capitol for a Photo – Outdoor Rotunda

9 am – Noon Visits with Legislators, Committee Hearings, House and Senate Sessions

Noon -1 pm – Lunch. TMA – 401 West 15th Street

1:00-2:45 pm – Psychiatry’s Issues Briefing Wrap-Up with lobbyist –TMA 10th floor – May Owen Board Room

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