https://pluralpolicy.com/find-your-legislator/

LUPUS ADVOCACY DAY AT THE GEORGIA STATE CAPITOL
STARTING AT Central Presbyterian Church after parking at Trinity United Methodist 

201 Washington Street SW

Atlanta, GA 30303

Thursday, February 13, 2025 

8:00 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

NOTES: 
1.   Park at Trinity United Methodist Church 
2.   Walk 2 blocks to Central Presbyterian Church If you arrive after 10:00 a.m., we will be in the Capitol Building.
3.    All adults must show a photo ID upon entering the Capitol; Wear comfortable shoes.

***Mitchell Street is closed to traffic***
***Handicap access on MLK Blvd***

*Due to the climate of Legislative meetings and Capitol events, there may be some minor adjustments changes in our agenda during our event

Schedule of Events

8:00 a.m. – Check in and receive packets

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Chapter Welcome and Lupus Presentation
Tull Hall, Central Presbyterian Church

10:00 a.m. - Governor's Photo
North Rotunda Stairs, Capitol Building

10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. - 4th Floor Gallery Senate and House Sides
Lupus Resolutions in the House and Senate

After Resolutions are Read
3rd Floor House and Senate Ropes
Lupus Activists Meet Their Representatives 
Page Desks - Chapter volunteers, lupus activists and families will call on state legislators, including calling legislators from the house and senate floor.

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. - Legislative Panel and Lunch
Central Presbyterian Church

7 Steps to a Successful Lobby Visit

1. Identify yourself and the group you represent: Let your legislator know that you live in her/his district and identify if you represent an organization or group “Hello Sen./Rep. ___________; my name is ____________. I am here representing the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation for Lupus Advocacy Day. I/We am/are here because…”
2. Be prepared to control the meeting: Remember that you have limited time with your legislator, so don’t let them get you off track. Be polite but firm.
3. State your position clearly: Inform your legislator of your position and use supporting information, like fact sheets and personal stories. You are the expert because Lupus impacts you and your family.
4. Ask specific questions: It’s not enough for your legislator to say that she/he supports the issue. Ask questions such as, “What is your position on the issue?” “How will vote on a bill?” “Will they sponsor/co-sponsor?” Take good notes!
5. Provide information: Leave information with your legislator about the issues you discussed. Remember, if you don’t know the answer to a question, let your legislator know you will find out and follow up with them. Ask him/her how they want you to follow up (phone, meeting, email, text…) and then follow up with them once you have the information.
6. Follow up with the legislator: Always send a follow up letter or email to your legislator that restates your position and thanks the legislator for her/his time. Continue to think of ways to build a relationship with that legislator.
7. Debrief: Have a formal debrief with Advocacy team that lobbied to decide on next steps. Also, check-in to evaluate how the visit went.

2025 LUPUS ADVOCACY DAY

TALKING POINTS

HOUSE BILL 94 – Fertility Preservation Bill 

• Requires that private medical insurance providers cover specific expenses associated with fertility preservation services for people living with Cancer, Sick Cell Anemia, and Lupus

HOUSE RESOLUTION 41 – Change Disability Processing Standards for People with Lupus

• Urge the U.S. Congress to prioritize federal disability reform to address the unique health challenges experienced by people living with lupus. 
• Expedite the processing of disability claims for people living with lupus. 
• Improve education and training for disability claims examiners and adjudicators on the complexities of lupus
• Develop clearer deadlines for evaluating lupus-related disability claims to reduce inconsistency and high denial rates. 

HOUSE BILL 100 – Prescription Drug Consumer Financial Protection Act 

• Health insurance providers are required to pass along no less than 80% of all prescription drug rebates to enrollees that such insurer receives from third parties

HOUSE BILL 291- To amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia

• Create a state certification process for Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Georgia. CHWs are trusted public health professionals who connect Georgians, especially those in underserved communities, to health care and essential services. People know them by titles such as Patient Navigator, Community Health Advocate, and Promotora de Salud. CHWs play a vital role in improving health outcomes, delivering culturally relevant information and care, and addressing social determinants of health like housing, transportation, and insecurity. 
• HB 291 would help build a skilled and stable CHW workforce by establishing a certification process. The bill expands CHW’s ability to serve in various health care and community settings. 
• If passed, HB 291 would recognize CHWs as essential members of Georgia’s health care system. It would ensure they have the training, support, and financial sustainability needed to continue their work.

Entrances
Visitors in wheelchairs may enter the Capitol from the loading zone off of Mitchell Street and from Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive via ramps which provide access to the first (ground) floor.

Elevators
The elevators are located on the east and west sides of the Capitol.

Restrooms
Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located on the first, third and fourth floors of the Capitol building. Facilities for ladies are located on the first floor, inside the Capitol Avenue entrance and on the third floor in room 342.  Men's' facilities can be found on the first floor and on the fourth floor adjacent to the House Gallery.

Water Fountains
Accessible water fountains can be found near the first floor restrooms on the east side of the Capitol and inside the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive entrance.

Telephones
Both a TDD and a Volume Control Telephone are located on the first floor of the Capitol
in the restroom area.

Galleries
Wheelchair spaces are provided in the Senate and House galleries and most legislative committee meeting rooms are accessible.

Capitol Grounds
The paths leading to points of interest on the Capitol grounds are paved.

Security Regulations
In compliance with security regulations, all visitors must enter the Capitol through a metal detector; the X-ray machine must examine hand-carried items.  No weapons, including pocketknives, are allowed in the Capitol.  These items should be left in a vehicle because security is not able to hold these items. In addition, off-duty law enforcement officers will not be allowed to carry their weapons while they are inside the Capitol.

MARTA is an option for transportation to the Capitol. MARTA stops located nearest the Capitol are the Georgia State Station (directly across from the Capitol in the Sloppy Floyd/Twin Towers complex) or the Five Points station (two blocks west of the Capitol at Underground Atlanta.)

Chapter office - 770-333-5930
Teri Emond’s cell - 404-542-9483
Chris Reed's cell – 678-634-2866

NOTE: Cells are limited in the Capitol.