We hope you are enjoying your summer! Following are two action items for both July and August while the Legislators are not in session at the Capitol and are in their local district offices. Also, at the end of the email you will find an update on some of the legislation we have been advocating for or against.

SUMMER GOAL #1: MEET WITH YOUR LEGISLATORS
Half the Senate and every state House member is up for reelection so we’re confident they’re eager to focus on their work in their districts. That’s what they do during the summer when they are not in session at the Capitol in Harrisburg. A lot of that time is spent meeting with constituents, visiting events, presenting checks from state grants and so on – which doubles as campaigning. When legislators are not in session (July and August) they have more time in their district offices to meet with constituents – that means YOU! Let your legislator know your personal story about why medical freedom is important to you. Choose two or three medical freedom bills from this list to discuss with your PA Representative and Senator. The Parental Rights Act, SB996, by Sen. Mastriano, is a good one to discuss as it affirms the high value of parental influence and strong family units. If your Legislator is not available, meet with a staff member! We have created this Legislative Advocacy Guide to help you prepare for your meetings. Find your legislator on the commonwealth’s site.

The goal is to develop a great relationship with your legislators and their staffers. In addition to scheduling a meeting, stop into the offices regularly. It’s ok to bring the kids for these short impromptu visits –  and chat with the staffers about medical freedom. You can print one of our flyers or documents from the resource section of our website to drop off and discuss with the staffer. Documents such as our basic vaccine facts and kids and COVID-19 have been created with the basic training needed for many caught up in the never ending pharma marketing. Remember that our elected officials exist to represent YOU and your neighbors. Always be kind and respectful. Follow your Legislators on social media, sign up for their emails (and read them). Legislators often host events or participate in community activities in the summer which can be another way to meet in-person! You can coordinate within your chapter group, friends and family to bring additional constituents to your meetings.

SUMMER GOAL #2: HELP GOOD CANDIDATES TO GET ELECTED!! We have just 4 short months to gain public support for these candidates so that PA can achieve a medical freedom victory in the November election. Your time, energy, and funding for these champions of freedom are the key to success! Do a web search to find your favorite medical freedom candidate’s campaign website and sign up to help. Often you can bring older children with you to volunteer or even do some work from home. This election determines the future of medical freedom in our state. It’s critical. If you want to help medical freedom advocate, Doug Mastriano for Governor, sign up here.

UPDATE ON PA LEGISLATION:
a. HB2013 Rep Diamond’s Constitutional Amendment for medical freedom: Because leadership refused to run the bill on the floor for discussion and vote, the time has run out for this to pass in time for the spring primary election of 2023. Thank you for all the calls to leadership and to your legislators.

b. HB2679 Rep Hickernell’s pharmacy bill: unfortunately, this bill was fast tracked in only the last 3 weeks of the session and passed in time to renew the pharmacy waiver, despite our best efforts to get amendments added. It extends and expands pharmacies’ ability to administer flu and COVID-19 vaccines and lowers the minimum age to administer from 9 years to 5 years old. This bill requires pharmacists to enter each vaccine given into the PA vaccine registry without requiring patient knowledge or permission.

c. SB709 Sen. Tomlinson’s CMV (cytomegalovirus) education and newborn testing bill: we were successful in working with legislators to get this bill amended to require written parental permission before any CMV test is administered to a newborn.

Want to know more about the bills we’re following? Click here: PA medical freedom related PA.

Enjoy your summer!!