ASAM State Advocacy Leaders Share Strategies for Success at 2024 AMAC

A panel of ASAM State Advocacy leaders were featured during the first day of the 2024 Addiction Medicine Advocacy Conference (AMAC) in Washington, DC. The panel included Dr. Ruchi Fitzgerald from Illinois, Dr. Aaron Fox from New York, and Dr. Stephanie Stewart from Colorado. The panel was moderated by Parker Baird, ASAM’s State Advocacy Manager.

Over the course of 25 minutes, panelists recapped their state advocacy wins from 2024. In doing so, they shared strategies for success for other ASAM members to follow. Specifically, Dr. Fitzgerald spoke about the Illinois chapter’s legislative success to reform punitive state laws impacting pregnant people and establish a more humane system. She emphasized the positive impact of working collaboratively with others stakeholder groups to accomplish shared policy goals. Further, Dr. Aaron Fox detailed the New York chapter’s efforts to support enhanced access to methadone treatment for OUD. He also spoke about the importance of proactive outreach to increase member engagement. Finally, Dr. Stephanie Stewart discussed the Colorado chapter’s support for enacted legislation enhancing access to evidence-based treatment for OUD. In turn, she reflected on the effectiveness of identifying and building relationships with key legislators.

Read more about ASAM’s 2024 state advocacy wins here.