What I’ve Learned: Beverly Razon

What I’ve Learned About Healthcare Advocacy and the Role Physicians Play

Beverly Razon - Senior VP of Public Affairs

Beverly Razon joined Copic in 2009, bringing a background of working on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. for over seven years. She has grown Copic’s public affairs efforts from a department of one that focused mainly on Colorado to a team of four that has broad community engagement across multiple states. Beverly works with other Copic leaders and outside partners to monitor legislative and policy initiatives that have the potential to impact healthcare. She shared some insights from being at the intersection of healthcare and public policy over the years.

Distrust in medicine, fueled by social media, has made physicians’ voices more important than ever. Since Covid, social media influencers—and vaccine and Western-medicine skeptics—have pushed a devaluing of modern medicine and physician expertise, which has certainly impacted professional morale. While we cannot quickly restore public trust in medicine, we see that people are listening to credible physicians and need to hear their voices to refute misleading narratives.

Misinformation is best countered with trust and consistency. Misinformation is not new, but its reach has grown. The most effective response isn’t alarm or rhetoric. It’s steady, consistent truthtelling built on trust. When you’re clear about your values and show up consistently, legislators know when a concern is truly serious and when it’s noise.

Clinicians underestimate the value of their expertise in the legislative process. The world of politics can feel foreign and unpredictable. Clinicians may be surprised about how influential they can be when they share real-world patient stories and how legislators value honest, practical insight, particularly when it comes from those who live and work in their districts. In 2023, Copic connected with an OB/GYN practice that was willing to meet with local legislators about the challenges of independent practice. Then in 2024, when non-economic damage caps came under attack, that same practice testified before those legislators and made a compelling case of the cost and impact it could have on access.

Advocacy works best when the process is simplified. Engagement is most effective when a partner, like Copic or your medical or hospital association, can distill issues down to what matters most and how best to engage. When physicians understand why an issue matters and how their voice will be used, participation feels manageable and meaningful. One example was a bill that would have required all emergency departments to conduct psychiatric assessments. Copic worked with an emergency clinician at a rural facility who educated lawmakers and testified about the challenges behavioral health holds create for EDs with limited staffing and security.

Relationships matter more than data alone. Data and financial analysis absolutely have a role in legislative issues, but relationships matter more. Trust is built over time through transparency, consistency, and credibility. When legislators know you’ve shown up year after year advocating for patient-centered care, not political points, they listen. Data can support a case, but relationships open the door.

Early engagement makes all the difference. Advocacy isn’t something that should begin after legislation is introduced. The most impactful work happens early: building relationships with candidates, newly elected officials, and partners across healthcare. By engaging before positions harden, we can help shape policy conversations, inform policy agendas, and be a resource rather than being strictly reactionary. That said, engagement at any level at any time can have an impact; it is never too late to engage.

Putting legislators in physicians’ shoes creates understanding. One of the most effective educational tools I’ve employed involves immersing legislators in simulated clinical scenarios. When policymakers experience the complexity of delivering care, even in a controlled environment, they better understand why certain laws matter. These moments help connect legislators to the theoretical legislation they vote on to the real-world consequences for patients and clinicians.

One voice really can make a difference. For physicians who feel frustrated or overwhelmed by the political landscape, I often say this: there is always space for your voice. Whether through a specialty society, a medical association, or connecting directly with advocacy teams, engagement doesn’t require doing everything. It starts with willingness and a single conversation that can lead to real change.

"At the end of the day, healthcare advocacy isn’t about winning arguments. It’s about protecting the ability of clinicians to care for patients safely, effectively, and sustainably."

Article originally published in Copic’s Copiscope 2Q26 newsletter.