4th Annual Health Policy Legislative Forum Set for 12/6/07

From the New Mexico Public Health Association:
It's that time again! Time to begin preparing for working with our partners statewide on legislative issues for the 2008 session. Here's a chance to hear what others are planning AND to take advantage of a chance to learn about how the state budget process works or get some basic skills in policy advocacy or media advocacy. This year's Forum is being planned and presented in collaboration with New Mexico Voices for Children. Here's what is happening...

The 4th Annual Health Policy Legislative Forum will be held on Thursday, December 6, 2007, at the CNM Workforce Training Center at 5600 Eagle Rock Avenue NE in Albuquerque. Last year's Forum broke records with over 130 people in attendance. This year's Forum will kick-off with two state legislators speaking about priority health and human services issues for the 2008 legislative session. This will be followed by roundtable discussions for sharing of policy issues and legislative priorities by participants. Lt. Governor Diane Denish has been invited to give the luncheon address regarding health care reform.

The afternoon sessions will include the following:

Behind the Curtain - Demystifying the New Mexico Budget Process: This training will focus on understanding how, when, and where budget/funding decisions are made by the NM Legislature -- with presenters including current and former legislators, state agency staff who are experts in the budget formation and decision process, and NM Voices for Childrens own state budget expert. Space will be limited to the first 75 registrants.

Policy Advocacy 101: What is the legislative process for advocating for health-related issues in New Mexico? How do you communicate with legislators and other policymakers on health care reform? What specific steps do you need to take to promote legislation?

Media Advocacy 101: What is media advocacy and how can we frame our message to the media for successful health policy campaigns? What kind of preparation and planning is needed to be effective? What are the basic tools and rules of accessing the media?

Registration: You can choose to register for the full day, the morning only or the afternoon only. We are offering a discounted registration fee to NMPHA members this year, so take advantage of that! Please see the attached flyer-registration form (doc) for more details and how to register.

Thanks and we look forward to seeing you there!

Marsha McMurray-Avila, Executive Director
New Mexico Public Health Association
(505) 715-9004
mcavila.nmpha@comcast.net