The legislative liaison is the primary state MGMA point person who works with MGMA government affairs on advocacy issues. The liaison is the intermediary from the state to the MGMA government affairs department, communicating on behalf of the state to government affairs staff and vice versa. This page does not include information on the role that the liaison plays with state advocacy initiatives, as defined by the individual state. Visit the Best Practices for state legislative liaisons page to find suggested state and federal advocacy best practices.
Benefits
State MGMA:
- Opportunity to affect advocacy efforts on the federal level as part of a coordinated national advocacy strategy executed in partnership with national MGMA
- Opportunity to give feedback and discuss legislative and regulatory issues with MGMA government affairs staff and other state legislative liaisons
- Access to the Legislative Liaison Member Community, a platform designed for liaisons to participate in advocacy discussions with fellow liaisons and government affairs staff and to share files by using the Community library
- Opportunity to inform state members about key federal legislative and regulatory activities through forwarding the MGMA Washington Connection, an e-newsletter with timely updates on advocacy issues
National MGMA:
- Assistance with grassroots advocacy efforts on federal issues of importance as identified by national MGMA
- Ready access to a network of state members committed to furthering the Association’s mission with regard to national advocacy efforts
- Increased visibility of advocacy-related member benefits
Expectations
State MGMA:
- Participate in discussions on the Legislative Liaison Member Community. This online forum allows liaisons to communicate with one another and with government affairs staff and share files in the Community library.
- Participate in meetings and calls as requested by the MGMA government affairs staff
- Attribute the MGMA Washington Connection to national MGMA by 1) forwarding the Washington Connexion to state members in its entirety and/ or 2) posting it to the State MGMA Website with a link to national MGMA. Review the “Use and Distribution of the MGMA Washington Connection” brief for more information.
- Promote participation in MGMA advocacy surveys as requested
- Respect the distinction between member benefits offered to national and state members as they relate to advocacy. Answering member questions on government affairs is a national member benefit, and liaisons should not forward questions from state members or state listserv posts to government affairs staff to answer.
- Keep MGMA apprised of any changes in contact information or when the volunteer fulfills his or her duties
National MGMA:
- Hold conference calls with state legislative liaisons as necessary
- Maintain the Legislative Liaison Member Community and related online library
- Provide advocacy updates through the MGMA Washington Connection and additional channels if necessary
- Provide guidance and resources to legislative liaisons for successful federal grassroots efforts
- Arrange conference opportunities for state leaders including liaisons to attend, providing networking and educational content