The Voice of the NAMSS Member: Empowerment Through Political Advocacy

1

• The Voice of the NAMSS Member Empowerment
  Through Political Advocacy

Prepared by
2
Overview

• WHAT is political advocacy?
• WHY is political advocacy so important?
• HOW can YOU play an important role in the
  advocacy process?

3
What Is Political Advocacy?

• To engage on behalf of a certain issue
• Consists of
• Monitoring
• Coalition Building
• Grassroots Activities
• Skilled Advocacy
• Grassroots efforts are just as important as
  skilled advocacy

4
Why Is Political Advocacy So Important?

• Essential to the success of an organization
• To build awareness
• Educating others can lead to more support for
  your cause
• To gain recognition
• Taking a stand on issues will empower the image
  of the profession
• To make changes
• Leaders and agencies in charge of setting laws
  and regulations wont know if there is a problem
  unless you let them know

5
Your Target Audiences

• Federal Government
• Senators and Representatives
• Federal Agencies (CMS)
• State and Local Governments
• Legislature
• Health and licensing regulatory agencies
• (Dept. of Health)
• Allied Organizations
• Industry partners
• External groups
• Other NAMSS members and the general public

6
Two Levels of Advocacy

• Skilled Advocacy
• Your NAMSS Government Relations Team
• Tracks key issues, creates and implements
  advocacy strategies, keeps you updated on news
  that may affect your profession
• Alerts you when you need to take action on an
  issue
• Grassroots Advocacy
• YOU!

7
Why Grassroots Advocacy?

• Legislators are ultimately accountable to the
  constituents who elected themthats YOU
• Legislators want to hear about the issues faced
  by medical service professionals FROM NAMSS
  members
• Organized grassroots efforts unite the membership
  into a strong voice

8
Your Responsibilities as a Grassroots Advocate

• BE AWARE of legislation AFFECTING YOU.

9
Be Aware

• NAMSS resources for national developments
• The NAMSS Website (www.NAMSS.org)
• NAMSS Monthly Government Relations Report
• NAMSS Synergy Newsletter
• Blast E-mails and action alerts

10
Be Aware

• Track state legislation
• Read your local news
• Your state legislatures web site
• All legislatures have a bill search engine
• Enter search terms relevant to NAMSS
• Licensing, credentialing, medical staff, quality
  of care, medical/health standards, medical
  errors, privacy
• Some states even allow you to set up bill
  tracking which will automatically alert you to
  new legislative actions

11
Your Responsibilities as a Grassroots Advocate

• BE AWARE of legislation AFFECTING YOU.
• REPRESENT the views of NAMSS Members when meeting
  with your elected officials

12
Represent the views of NAMSS Members

• Check the NAMSS website for any official
  positions that the organization may take on an
  issue
• Ask your colleagues what their issues of interest
  are
• Compile a brief list of talking points to
  effectively summarize your key issues
• You may only get a few minutes to deliver your
  message

13
Build Maintain Relationships

• Legislator recognition of a constituent can mean
  the difference between an issue with a face, and
  one without
• The squeaky wheel gets the oil holds true in
  politics

14
Build Maintain Relationships

• Communicate with your legislators
• Call and write to their offices
• Schedule meetings with their staff
• Invite them to tour your facilities or to attend
  your events
• Take advantage of their district events and town
  hall meetings as ways to be seen and be heard

15
Build Maintain Relationships Dos and Donts

• DO maintain respect at all times
• - Try to briefly and politely educate leaders and
  their staff without preaching
• DO follow-up with your leaders and their staff
• - Call to see if they have any questions about
  the information you gave them
• DO encourage others to contact their leaders
• - Strength in numbers

16
Build Maintain Relationships Dos and Donts

• DONT answer anything you dont know
• - If you get asked a question you cant answer,
  apologize and say that you will look into it and
  follow-up with the proper information as soon as
  possible
• DONT expect to speak directly with your elected
  officials or the head of an agency
• - Educating the staff is just as important. The
  staff makes things happen!
• DONT expect immediate changes
• - It often takes constant pressure to get
  lawmakers and agencies to realize the need to
  address an issue. This is why an effective
  advocacy team and a strong grassroots network is
  important.

17
Key Issues for NAMSS Members

• Standardized application/verification forms
• Emergency response credentialing and privileging
• Changes in national standards and CMS regulations
• Medical services professionals listing in the
  Department of Labor SOC
• Gaining recognition

18
Whats Next?

• What do you think are NAMSS key issues today?
• What issues do you think NAMSS members will face
  in the future?
• What can YOU do to make sure NAMSS members are
  heard by leaders?