Last year a matter concerning a piece of legislation being considered in Washington concerned me. After familiarizing myself thoroughly with this matter, I invited my local Congressman (whom I had supported) to my home for dinner, and discussed this matter with him. He thanked me for aquainting him with areas concerning this legislation about which he was not familiar and he was especially interested to hear my point of view. I later learned from him that his vote on this issue will express my point of view, and that he convinced some of his colleagues to follow.
In a sense I “legally” lobbied for my local medical society without jeopardizing its tax exempt status and without taxing its budget. Similarly, I think members of the APsaA may have substantial influence if they consider the following actions:
One, members should familiarize themselves with impending mental health legislation or any other legislation that will affect the practice of psychoanalysis, and invite their Representatives to their homes to discuss these matters.
Two, local psychoanalytic Societies should invite Representatives to special dinner business meetings for similar discussion.
Three, Representatives should be invited to special meetings arranged on a regional basis.
Four, the APsaA should invite a few Representatives to participate in a panel discussion on impending legislation and/or should invite them to the Meeting of Presidents sponsored by the Committee on Affiliate Societies for an open discussion of these matters.
Five, when members or societies receive favorable manifest responses from the Representatives contacted in these ways, they should forward such names to the Central Office so that follow-up correspondence and/or contact can take place.
Gerald V. Freiman, M.D.
Forest Hills, New York
January 14, 1975