by “I have come to the conclusion that politics is too serious a matter to be left to politicians.” – Charles de Gaulle
At the WBCC, we have always believed that it’s critical to educate policymakers about issues related to breast cancer and our priorities. How can they possibly know everything they need to know about everything they vote on? We position ourselves and our advocates as resources for them. And boy are we at it this month! We just held our State Advocacy Day in Madison, and we have a contingent on their way to Washington DC in a few days.
We often hear the old adage about April showers bringing May flowers this time of year. You could say our “showers” are these meetings held with legislators and congressional representatives and our “flowers” are co-sponsorships, “yes” votes, and legislation that gets signed into law. It often takes a long time for our flowers to bloom – but we’re seeing hopeful signs.
The breast cancer screening and diagnostics legislation we’ve been working towards seeing passed in Wisconsin has 39 cosigners to date and we gained key support during our Advocacy Day. But we won’t see any signs of blooming until we get past the Senate Health Committee. That hearing will be in late May. It’s step one in a long legislative process that would lead to a bill on the governor’s desk. We continue to reach out to key legislators who can help us move the bill along with their support.
In Washington DC, work continues on gaining support for the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act and renewed funding for the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program. On the DoD request, we’ve gained new support from two Wisconsin congressional members, but on the Metastatic Breast Cancer bill, we still have work to do to convince members to sign on. Advocacy on the federal level can be a real slog. It’s not unusual for legislation to take years to pass. But as a wise and seasoned WBCC advocate reminds us:
“Effective advocates possess both patience and persistence.” – Kathleen Harris
Sometimes, it’s hard to get and hold a legislator’s attention. We can provide opportunities for meetings, but as organizers, we’re not always constituents. For those vital contacts, we need you. Legislators will listen to the people who have the power to elect them (or not). They need to hear your personal stories about how breast cancer has impacted you or your loved ones. They need to know you’re paying attention to how they vote on such issues. It’s their job.
The same way these often chilly and dreary April days can seem to drag on and on, sometimes getting important legislation passed feels the same. When will we ever get a day with all three perfect atmospheric conditions?! Sunshine, no north winds, warm temperatures. (*sigh*)
We also need the right conditions to move legislation forward. An open door. Involved and determined advocates. A legislator who is paying attention to them.
If you’ve made a call on any of these important policy priorities, thank you. Please stay in touch with your legislators on them. Recruit friends and neighbors to make calls too. We must remain persistent! A big push is on right now both at the state and federal levels. Let’s do all we can, together, to see these issues through.
Do it for yourself, for your sisters and mothers and daughters and aunts and friends. Do it for women who don’t feel they have a voice – be their voice. Together, with patience and persistence, we’ll move forward towards warmer, brighter days where every woman has equal, affordable access to the breast health care she needs.