Several feedback opportunities took place in the fall months of 2021 that pulled into focus MNAAP priorities and plans for the future. Through the use of virtual tools, such as Survey Monkey, Zoom, Google Jamboard (a shared, virtual sticky note whiteboard pictured above), chapter members offered their ideas and insights, which gave chapter leaders much to consider for the upcoming legislative session and the 2022-2025 strategic plan.
As one discussion participant so aptly put it, discussing all of these topics and attempting to prioritize them is “like picking your favorite child.” In order to finalize the legislative priorities, MNAAP leaders will look both at what may be possible to realistically achieve during the 2022 session and how much bandwidth is available with the chapter lobbyist to support our initiatives. In regards to the strategic priorities, limits exist by how much chapter staff can do to support the workgroups and caucuses that form.
A policy roundtable discussion took place on Oct. 21 to help identify the chapter’s 2022 legislative agenda. More than 20 persons participated in the roundtable discussion. Advocacy and Policy co-chairs Drs. Sue Berry and Hannah Lichtsinn guided a meaningful and productive session in which participants came up with the following primary issues (ranked order voting by participants):
• Early Childhood
• Mental Health
• Social Drivers of Health
• Safe and Healthy Schools
• Vaccination
• Gun Violence
• COVID/Public Health Support
• Universal HealthCare/Single Payor
At the strategic planning discussion during the Nov. 11 board meeting, board members discussed all the items from the roundtable, as well as those from the All Member Survey and any additional topics brought up. Board members did not vote on how to prioritize these topics at that meeting but will do so at the January 2022 board meeting. These topics were raised:
• Mental Health Issues
• Early Childhood Issues
• Social Drivers of Health
• Vaccinations
• Anti-racism and Disparities
• Advocacy for Pediatricians in the State
The 2022 legislative agenda and final MNAAP 2022-2025 strategic goals will be finalized in January 2022 and information will be sent out to members regarding these plans and priorities.
