Utah Healthcare Leaders Advocate for Primary Care and Public Health Policy on Capitol Hill

A group of distinguished leaders from the University of Utah’s Department of Family & Preventive Medicine (DFPM) recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in Capitol Hill Day and advocate for primary care and public health policies vital to the health of Utahns.

The team representing DFPM included Department Chair John Barrett, MD; Family & Community Medicine Division Chief Bernadette Kiraly, MD; and Public Health Associate Professor Sharon Talboys, PhD.

Supported by the American Medical Group Association (AMGA), the DFPM representatives received expert policy briefings and met with staff from five of Utah’s six congressional offices. During these meetings, discussions centered around strengthening Graduate Medical Education (GME) funding, protecting programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and furthering telehealth innovation.

One impactful interaction occurred during a meeting with Carson Brown, legislative assistant to Representative Celeste Maloy. Brown, a native of Kanab, Utah, was actively engaged during a conversation about how legislative actions can impact healthcare in rural Utah. “He asked very detailed questions and seemed invested in the people of Utah, healthcare issues, and the democratic process,” said Dr. Kiraly.

Dr. Barrett said, “While our perspectives sometimes differ from our elected officials, we found them and their respective staffs to be courteous, engaged, and motivated to make positive changes for Utah.”

Reflecting on the visit, Dr. Talboys called it a privilege to have these discussions, and she plans to continue conversations locally. “I have expertise about the health status of Utahns, their experiences, and barriers to care. Most importantly, I can suggest solutions that are grounded in science and solid evidence,” said Dr. Talboys. “I encourage my colleagues to let their representatives know that they can lean on them to share their knowledge about the health experiences and challenges faced by their patients and communities.”

The visit aligned closely with the department’s mission to promote health for all Utahns. “It was empowering to have these meetings, but we know there is more work to be done,” said Dr. Kiraly. “Our goal was to present our positions, petition our representatives, and advocate for the healthcare needs of Utahns—and we were heard.”