Committee on Legislation and Advocacy
About the Committee
The AMA-MSS Committee on Legislation and Advocacy (COLA) is responsible for creating and maintaining a network of MSS chapters to promote grassroots political action. COLA provides sample letters, talking points, and additional information and resources to assist students in responding to specific legislative issues. COLA also advances key student issues through a coordinated campaign at each national meeting and works with the AMA-MSS Governing Council on accomplishing specific legislative advocacy goals.
Meet your 2009-2010 Committee on Legislation and Advocacy
Contact your Committee on Legislation and Advocacy
- Committee Chair - Matthew Reilley
- Committee Vice Chair - Malini Daniel
Issues, Information and Resources
COLA has developed Issue Briefs and Presentations on a wide range of health policy issues, tailored to meet the needs and interests of medical students. Please feel free to distribute these materials widely. And be sure to check back often for new Issue Briefs and Presentations.
Get Involved
There are many ways you can get involved with AMA and MSS health policy legislation and advocacy efforts.
Visit the AMA's Grassroots Action Center
The AMA Grassroots Action Center, sometimes also referred to as "Capwiz," provides contact information for your elected officials, information on pending legislation of importance to physicians and the medical community, and records of your elected officials' votes on key health policy legislation. You can even send letters/emails/faxes to your elected officials letting them know how you, as a medical student and future physician, feel about the issues and their impact on the future of medicine.
Join AMPAC
The American Medical Political Action Committee (AMPAC) is the bipartisan political action committee of the American Medical Association. Its goal is to support and elect pro-medicine candidates on the federal level. Learn more about AMPAC and how you can get involved!
Apply for the AMA Government Relations Internship Program
The AMA Government Relations Internship Program (GRIP) provides stipends to assist selected students who are completing summer health policy internships in the Washington, D.C., area.Spend your summer working on health policy issues in Washington, D.C. Applications are due in February.
Apply for the Government Relations Advocacy Fellowship
Each year, the AMA Government Relations Advocacy Fellowship (GRAF) provides one medical student with the opportunity to work in the AMA's Washington, D.C., office as a full-time paid member of the AMA's Federal advocacy team. Applications are due in January.