We owe a debt of gratitude to Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) for his introduction of H.R. 4190. I commend to your reading an interview with him in Pharmacy Today’s May issue, which has been posted to pharmacist.com. This month’s Q&A is part of an occasional series on Members of Congress who are champions of pharmacy.

Guthrie, along with Reps. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) and Todd Young (R-IN), introduced H.R. 4190 on March 11, 2014. “By reimbursing pharmacists for these services, it will offer patients in underserved areas a greater access to care,” Guthrie told Today. He spoke about how his family relies on their pharmacist for “advice, answers, and care when we need it most.”

He closed by asking pharmacists to assist him in passing this legislation by calling their Congressman and urging their office to support the bill. “Hearing directly from constituents on legislation is the best way to get a Member of Congress’s attention, and garnering widespread support for the bill will help move it forward.”

I guarantee that someone got to Congressman Guthrie with a memorable story—in addition to the facts. Recently, I challenged our Academies Leadership Meeting attendees to tell their story, but to first take the time to think it through so that when telling it, the point is clear.

Members of Congress are besieged by thousands of lobbyists and voters who have stories. Those of pharmacists can be the most compelling and often retold—especially if short, focused on the benefit to the patient, and easy to understand. I often repeat the phrase, “If I’d had more time, I’d have written a shorter letter.”

In other words, boil it down, and practice telling it. Share it with your elected representatives, and share it with us at APhA. We’ll help it get retold.