Top 10 Strategies for Enacting Parity Legislation: A Comprehensive Guide

1. These States Already Have: Colorado Maine New Hampshire Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Massachusetts California New Jersey Indiana Louisiana Arkansas Iowa Texas Maryland Virginia Missouri Illinois Utah ) Top 10 Ways to Pass Parity

2. Organize • Work with partners: ACA,AOPA • Lobbyist • Identify coalitions • Friends & foes • Grassroots

3. Find Champions • Bicameral except for Nebraska • Only legislator can officially introduce the bill by becoming the bill's sponsor • Legislators usually sponsor bills that are important to them and their constituents • Sponsors will try to gain support for their bills but you have to do leg work too • Co-sponsors—Dem and Rep ideal • Strong sponsors to keep language on track

4. Put Bill in the Hopper • Template language • Work with lead authors • Get bill number • Bill referred to committee • Communicate

5. Map The Path • Health/Commerce • Committee hearing • Subcommittees • Must pass both houses • Amendments from friends and foes

6. Focus on Committees • Know the chairs • Find constituents • Death by committee

7. Face & Name • Get involved with campaigns • Lit drops • Door knocking • Visit in their district • Visit on the Hill • Write letters/emails

8. Use Compelling Messages • Key messages & talking points • Hard data • Patient stories

9. Use the Media as a Tool • Know the reporters on the health beats • Work with ACA to pitch people stories • Letters to the editor • Editorial meeting • Advertisements

10. Be Sneaky • Amendment • Moving bill • Something that has to be funded • Relative • Process

11. Be Persistent • Long haul • Set expectations • Be consistent • Build on successes • Remember friends