Legislative and Government
You Can Affect your Government
The Montana Dental Association represents your interests in the dental health policy debate at all levels of government. The MDA follows the activities of local, state, and federal officials to make sure that your interests and the dental health care needs of all Montana citizens are represented.
The Montana Dental Association helps to keep you involved in important health public policy debates and informed of the issues that affect your practice.
The Montana Dental Association Political Action Committee, MoDePAC
What Is MoDePAC?
MoDePAC is the political action committee organized by MDA. Membership is open to dentists, their spouses, or members of the dentist's immediate family. The PAC is governed by a board of directors comprised of one director from each MDA component who serves for a three‑year term. Contributions from the PAC are limited to state political candidates. MoDePACs directors decide which candidates will receive campaign contributions. Political action committees in Montana are authorized under the Campaign Finance and Practices Laws. The laws contain limits on how much a candidate may receive from a PAC.
Members of MoDePAC know that the decisions made by politicians affect how dentists manage their everyday lives and their dental practices. Each session of the Montana legislature many bills are introduced that affect oral health care, dental insurance, small businesses, and access to dental care. MoDePAC ensures that the voices of dentists and organized dentistry are heard. The political action committee makes campaign contributions to assist candidates with their election efforts.
‘99 Club — Funding for the Montana Dental Association Grassroots Efforts
What is the '99 Club?
Funds from '99 Club are spent to support the association's grassroots contact network and to educate public officials and legislators about dentistry's political issues. Funds help defray lobbying costs and pay for sponsoring Dental Day at the Montana Legislature, including the dinner hosted by MDA for legislators.
The ‘99 Club funds also have been used to pay the expenses of MDA members who attend the national issues conference in Washington DC sponsored by the American Dental Association’s political action committee, ADPAC. Money collected for MDA's '99 Club may not be used for direct contributions to candidates.
The Montana Dental Association thanks the MoDePAC Board of Directors and members for their contributions to ensure that dentistry's voice is heard at the local, state and national levels on issues affecting the dental profession.
| 2009-2010 MoDePAC Board of Directors | ||
Chairs, |
District 4 |
District 8 |
| MoDePAC Members | ||
Dr. Lisa M. Abeln |
Dr. Matthew L. Heaphy |
Dr. Gerald W. Olson |
How to Contact Your State Legislator
During the legislative session: Call the Session Information Desk at 406-444-4800 to leave a message for as many as five legislators or one legislative committee per call. Your message will be delivered directly to the legislators. The TTY (Telephone Device for the Deaf) number is 406-444-4462.
The Session Information Desk is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 8 a.m. to adjournment on Saturdays.
Online
During sessions: You may send a message using this online message form.
Between sessions: You may use the e-mail addresses provided with the legislative roster and published in legislative guides.
By Mail
A well-written letter is one of the best ways to let your legislator know your thoughts and opinions about a particular issue. Here are some tips for getting your message across effectively:
- Be brief. Legislators have many demands on their time. They appreciate letters that are short and to the point.
- Address your letter to a specific legislator or legislators. Depending on your message, you may want to write to the sponsor of a bill, certain members of a committee, or your own legislators. Don’t address your letter to the entire Legislature.
- Identify bills by their number, title, and sponsor.
- Explain your position on the bill and ask for the legislator’s support or opposition.
Address letters to:
Senator XXXX
Montana Senate
PO Box 200500
Helena, MT 59620-0500
or
Rep. XXXX
Montana House of Representatives
PO Box 200400
Helena, MT 59620-0400
By Fax
During sessions:House 406-444-4825
Senate 406-444-4875
Montana State Government Agencies listing
Current Montana Government Officials:
- Max Baucus - US Senator, D
- Jon Tester - US Senator, D
- Dennis Rehberg - US Representative, R
Related Links
The following sites contain more information about current topics and initiatives affecting health care in Montana and nationwide.
http://thomas.loc.gov
Comprehensive information about current action In U.S. Legislature. Includes
full-text version of Legislation, sponsors and time-tables.
www.leg.state.mt.us
Direct link to the home page for the Montana State legislature. Includes
extensive info about the legislature, how to find your representative
or senator, full-text version of bills, legislative time table.
www.discoveringmontana.com
Home page for the state of Montana. Check out the site map to find links
to most agencies. Many health care related agencies and programs are accessible
here.
www.dphhs.state.mt.us
Home page for the Dept. of Public Health and Human Services. Includes
links to info re the Medicaid program, mental health services, Tobacco
use prevention programs, child welfare, Public health, Health Policy,
etc.
www.discoveringmontana.com/css/govt/congressional_delegation.asp
Links to web sites for Montana Senators and Representatives.
www.hcfa.gov
Everything you always wanted to know from HCFA and more. Links to all
important rule-making and legislative initiatives.
Montana Dental Association
38 South Last Chance Gulch, Ste. 205
P.O. Box 1154
Helena, Montana 59624
E-Mail:
800-257-4988 (In Montana only)
406-443-2061 (in the Helena area)
Fax: 406-443-1546