Get to Know Your Legislators

Creating Legislative Connections

Creating Legislative Connections

Governor Senate (State and Federal) Representative (State and Federal) County City Chamber Other

Identify, Locate, Contact State or Federal Legislators

Contact your State Representative: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/housemembers.asp

Contact your State Senator: http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/alphalist.shtml

Contact Minnesota members of Congress: Legislators at http://maps.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/website/districts

Visit the White House, Senate, and House Websites

Minnesota HomeCare Association's Recommendations for other Government

Information Websites

General Minnesota Information: www.state.mn.us/mainmenu.html

Links to Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS)

Governor's Office: www.mainserver.state.mn.us/governor Find out what is going on during the legislative session:

www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/swkly.ssi

Contact Key Legislators)

Identify key contacts) with designated staff/board member best “suited” for the contact to ensure success– Publicize plans for contacts– Publicize the results

Sample PR piece

Legislative Tips-Visit the MHCA Web Page

How to get legislative information Initiating an informal meeting with your

legislators Testimony tips

Construct Key Messages

Home Care– Client Stories– Employee – Staffing Issues– Regulatory– Financial

Sample Key Message Support House File 1574 and Senate File 1503 for home visit

rates. Legislation to increase Skilled Nursing, Physical, Occupational &

Speech Therapy visits to $85 per visit, and Home Health Aide visits to $55 per visit in home health care.

Background: Minnesota reimbursement rates lag far behind other Mid-western

states. From 1985 until 1994, Home Care providers received No

reimbursement rate increase, including no COLA. Home care services related to physical therapy, occupational therapy

and speech therapy received no increase for 14 years. Problem: Skilled visit reimbursement rates for MA and waivered

services cover only 48% of the cost. Lack of increases for 14 years has resulted in service rates that are

dramatically lower than rates in surrounding states. Reimbursement rates for comparable services in our surrounding

states are 30% to 50% higher than in Minnesota. Many home care providers no longer serve patients on the MA

waivered programs due to low MA reimbursement rates and many others are considering discontinuation of these same services.

Media and Press

TV Radio Newspaper Newsletters (Corporate and

Agency) Employee Communication Client and Family

Communication Trade Associations

Events

• Open House• Home Visits with Key Contacts• Employee Forum with Legislators• Letter Writing Campaign

Follow-up

Summarize events and contacts Send written acknowledgement and thank

you Publicize the results for staff, board

members, community, trade associations Send copy of publications to legislative

contact

Maintain Relationships

Inform “key” contacts of events in your agency

Include him or her on your newsletter mailing list

Communicate new issues and developments in your industry

Celebrate Your Successes!!

Give Voice to Your Passion for Home Care!!