Recently, I was honored to spend a day on Capitol Hill as part of an advocacy event with the Society of Hospital Medicine. The organization, which I am proud to be a part of, held their annual meeting in Washington DC. The event involved a group of hospital physicians going to Capitol Hill to meet our congressional representatives — both in the House and Senate — to discuss the issues and upcoming Bills that are most pertinent to us and our patients. Our three main talking points were: sustainable growth rate repeal, the Medicare 3-day inpatient rule for skilled nursing facility care, and better end-of-life care.

We were split up into groups according to our home states (myself and another physician representing Massachusetts) and then bussed out from our convention center to the Capitol. Three meetings were scheduled for each state’s hospital physicians — one on the House side and two on the Senate. It was a very insightful day and highly interesting to see how democracy works close up (most people probably don’t realize that government in this nation is so open, and they are always welcome to schedule appointments with their elective representatives).

I actually went to the same event a couple of years ago, but this time we were much further into the legislative cycle. It was also fascinating to observe the different receptions given to hospital physicians according to which state they came from. Those of us who came from the more liberal-leaning states generally had a much smoother time with our discussion points and making sure our representatives were fully on board with the bills. The physicians who met with the more conservatively inclined political offices tended to be quizzed much more on the cost breakdown and where the money would come from to fund the bills. (And who could argue that these are bad questions?)

In fact, we were briefed beforehand that this would happen and to be mindful of who we were talking to and where on the political spectrum they fell. For example, with the 3-day rule, were we going to frame our discussion around improving access or controlling costs? Or better still, could we do both? All of us were going to the Hill with very noble intentions, but it would have been naïve to think it was all about what sounded good to us. All new policies have some very real world implications that provoke strong sentiments according to political philosophy.

However, regardless of whether one is liberally or conservatively minded, my day on Capitol Hill also reinforced a much bigger point. Politics can seem frustrating and infuriating from the outside. The differences can seem petty. But when you’re inside, you realize that it’s all too easy to sit back, complain, and be the Monday morning quarterback. There’s a famous saying that decisions are made by those who show up. In a democracy, it’s all about getting your voice heard and arguing your point no matter what your political affiliation. Every citizen has a chance to do that — and a civic duty if you feel strongly about something.

Suneel Dhand is an internal medicine physician and author of Thomas Jefferson: Lessons from a Secret Buddha and High Percentage Wellness Steps: Natural, Proven, Everyday Steps to Improve Your Health & Well-being.  He blogs at his self-titled site, Suneel Dhand.