For the past seven years the WA Home Care Association, Home Care Association of WA and the WA State Hospice and Palliative Care Organization have joined forces to meet with state legislators to discuss important issues for In-Home Services. We are all licensed under the Department of Health (DOH) In-Home Services program and in the real world, home health, hospice and home care agencies work cooperatively together all the time. Our associations typically have a very similar legislative agenda and legislators really appreciate the fact that we coordinate this day together instead of three different meetings! It’s also a fun way to get to know other in-homes services providers from around the state and in your region.
Please contact your local legislators ASAP and set up a meeting on January 28th!! We are contacting legislators early this year because our legislative day is less than 3 weeks away! Here is a link to find out who your state legislators are with their contact information:https://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/. Please use your home address and not your business location as they want to meet with their constituents who live in their districts. You have 2 Representatives and 1 Senator from your legislative district. You can either call their office or send them an email request for an appointment. Our lobbying partner, Leslie Emerick, often calls and send a follow-up email.
Please schedule appointments to begin after 8:00 AM so that attendees can participate in the morning advocacy training activities. Some legislative assistants may ask for what you are going to talk about. Just explain to them what In-Home Services are (home health, hospice and home care) and we will be talking about issues related to these services.
Important!! Once you’ve made your legislative appointments, please send Leslie Emerick your appointment times at [email protected] and I will put your meeting on the master calendar. If you need additional assistance, please call 360-280-6142.
We will be in the Washington Library Room in the lower level of the Prichard Building. It’s a great room and we have it reserved until 2:00 pm.
Schedule for In-Home Services Day
7:00-8:00 AM: Welcome and Introductions (Coffee and muffins or bagels provided)
· Orientation, overview of Political Landscape
· Review In-Home Services 2020 Legislative Priorities/Song Sheet
· Review Handouts for Legislators
8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Legislative Visits Begin! Leslie will develop the legislative schedule as you begin to send her your appointment times. The constituent in the meeting should talk first about their agency and issues. Leslie always try to mix people from the three associations and regionally at a meeting if possible. It’s a great way to get to know your legislators and fellow in-home services providers. Rule number one: Be flexible and have fun! Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress semi-formally for meetings. It may be cold so dress appropriately for the weather.
Leslie will be sending a draft “Song Sheet for 2020” with talking points soon in case legislators assistants ask what you would like to talk about on that day. It may change as new bills are introduced and something comes up as a high priority for the group.
This may look overwhelming to the new participants, but don’t worry! We have a training in the morning to go over the talking points for the day and put you with more experienced attendees.
Please remember rule number one: Be flexible and have fun!