Mini Course VI. Legislative Advocacy

Mini Course Information

This primer in legislative advocacy describes the importance of the OB/GYN physician voice in informing legislative process and the various ways in which physicians inform and advance reproductive health policy.

Learning Objectives

• Develop a baseline understanding of how family planning policy is informed by state and federal legislative process
• Understand the importance of obstetrician-gynecologist participation in legislative process
• Describe the role of oral and written legislative testimony in informing state and federal family planning and abortion policy
• Describe the variety of venues, outlets, and opportunities through which OB/GYN physicians can act as experts for legislators, advocacy/policy organizations, and professional organizations/societies when state bills are introduced that impede evidence-based, family planning and abortion policy
• Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of state/federal abortion laws on patient care, health equity, training, and physician practice