PA Students and Faculty Return to DC for PAEA’s Spring Advocacy Trip

In March, PAEA’s Government Relations Team welcomed nearly 50 students and faculty from across the country to Washington, DC, for the 2023 Spring Advocacy Trip.

This event, marking the Association’s return to in-person advocacy following the COVID-19 pandemic, provided participants with an opportunity to learn more about the federal advocacy process and engage directly with the offices of their congressional representatives. 

This year’s Spring Advocacy Trip kicked off on March 13 with advocacy training followed by an opportunity for participants to explore Capitol Hill.

PAEA’s advocacy partners at Polsinelli, LLC, began the day with a presentation on key policy priorities for Congress this year and described the steps necessary to conduct effective advocacy meetings with congressional staff.

PAEA’s Government Relations staff then provided an overview of the Association’s advocacy agenda and legislative priorities for 2023. Following this training, participants were then given an opportunity to practice their advocacy skills in small groups prior to traveling to Capitol Hill for a tour of the complex. 

During meetings on March 14, the students and faculty advocated for key federal funding priorities for PA education as the fiscal year 2024 budget and appropriations process begins. Collectively, PAEA has joined the Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition in requesting $1.51 billion for Title VII and VIII health workforce development programs administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Throughout their engagements with congressional offices, participants highlighted key programs which directly invest in PA programs, faculty, and students such as primary care training and enhancement grants, scholarships for disadvantaged students, and area health education centers. These programs work to invest in curriculum development, clinical rotation availability, and student diversity – long-standing priorities for PAEA. 

This summer, PAEA’s Government Relations team will be expanding opportunities for programs to participate in advocacy training as well as in-person meetings with members of Congress through the launch of the Association’s inaugural Policy Summit. Members are encouraged to monitor the Networker over the coming weeks for additional information about this opportunity and how to participate. 

PAEA would like to thank the students and faculty of the Morehouse School of Medicine, University of Colorado, MGH Institute of Health Professions, and University of Southern California for their participation in this year’s Spring Advocacy Trip.

Members with questions about PAEA’s advocacy efforts are invited to contact Tyler Smith at tsmith@PAEAonline.org.