To make this as simple for you as possible, below is a template you can use (you can cut and paste the text and fill in the blanks).  Please personalize it and make it specific and correct for your situation. 

I am  ____________.  I understand that the budget committee will be convening soon to discuss funding options for the state of Missouri.  AHEC programs help identify young people from rural and underserved areas who are potentially interested in health professions and helps prepare them to return to these communities as health professionals by providing opportunities for them to experience health care in these settings.  This is done in a variety of formats including job shadowing, mentoring programs, hands-on activities, and rotations for health professions students in rural/underserved areas. 

Participating in AHEC … (Insert personalized message here)

Optional: The AHEC experience strengthened my desire and intention to practice medicine in a rural/underserved community.  (People who participated in other AHEC activities [e.g. ACES or ACES+] can comment on how they benefited from these experiences.) 

I urge you to restore General Revenue funds for the AHECS in the FY2011 budget - and that language be inserted into the budget bill stipulating that the $1.6 million for AHEC is "for the purpose of funding the programs, operations, and activities of the Missouri Area Health Education Centers under 191.980 RSMo.”

 

HOW to SEND your message…

The  lists below are the names of the budget committee members on the House of Representatives website by MAHEC regions.  You can click on the name of the individual to send them an email with your customized message

Northeast MO representatives Rachel L. Bringer, Steve Hobbs, & Rebecca McClanahan

Northwest MO representatives Robert Schaaf, Ryan Silvey, & Mike Thomson

Mid-MO representatives: Mark J. Bruns, Belinda Harris, Steve Hobbs, Chris Kelly, & Charles Schlottach

Southeast MO representatives: Mike Dethrow

Southwest MO representatives: Mike Cunningham, Tom Flanigan, Sara Lampe, David Sater, & Jay Wasson

East Central MO representatives: Chris Carter, Sally Faith, Allen Icet (chair), Sam Komo, James T. Morris, Dwight Scharnhorst, Charles Schlottach, Rachel Storch, Rick Stream (vice chair),

West Central MO representatives:  Shalonn “Kiki” Curls, Denny L. Hoskins, Leonard Hughes IV, & Jason Kander