The Big IDea is an IDSA and HIVMA initiative that seizes the opportunity IDWeek 2019 in Washington DC will give infectious disease and HIV clinicians, scientists and public health practitioners from around the country to educate Members of Congress on federal funding and policy issues important to their patients, their clinical practice and research, and to public health.
The Big IDea is a Capitol Hill advocacy day, co-hosted by IDSA and HIVMA and held in conjunction with IDWeek with the support of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. SHEA and PIDS members are welcome to join.
Please complete this form if you are interested in participating.
The advocacy day will take place on Tuesday, Oct 1 prior to the official start of IDWeek. The schedule for the day will include a breakfast orientation beginning at 7:30 am. Meetings with Congressional offices will be scheduled between 10 am and 4 pm.
Participation is open to members of IDSA, HIVMA, PIDS and SHEA, but space is limited. Attendees will be capped at 100, and attention will be given to ensure participants reflect the diversity and scope of the field of ID/HIV.
No! We welcome participants who have never met with policymakers as well as those who have. Participants will be grouped into teams by state or region that will include a seasoned ID/HIV advocate or a staff member. A series of webinars will be held over the summer to let participants know what to expect, provide the opportunity to learn from IDSA and HIVMA members with advocacy experience and to update participants on the latest policy issues affecting ID and HIV.
During the advocacy day, participants will be encouraged to contribute their own expertise and will be provided everything they need for successful meetings, including talking points and documents to leave behind with Congressional offices. IDSA and HIVMA staff will also schedule all congressional meetings in advance and provide you with your itinerary and background information on the offices with whom you will meet.
Our goal is to have the full spectrum of infectious diseases represented from AIDS to Zika to educate policymakers on the diverse roles that infectious diseases/HIV providers play in protecting and improving health and public health in the U.S. and around the globe.
A limited number of scholarships to offset travel and lodging will be available. Fellows-in-training, members who have recently completed training, and others who can demonstrate need will be prioritized for assistance. To apply, please complete this form.
Check out what your colleagues have to say about their advocacy experience.
Or email advocacy@idsociety.org to learn more.
