From my own experience, I haven’t always “bothered” my congressional representatives because I didn’t have a facility/business in their district.  I have come to realize, however, that as a constituent with a particular interest and knowledge base, I owe it to my elected official—whether Senator or Congressman—to contact them, so at a minimum, they can track the numbers of constituents interested in a particular issue.

The August congressional recess provides all of us with a great opportunity to discuss the importance of stable funding for our nation’s seniors. No one can deliver this message better than you: constituents with a special knowledge and interest that should be shared with your elected officials. The American Health Care Association (AHCA) just kicked off the “Save our Seniors campaign,” with the goal of reaching out to every Member of Congress over the August recess. We need your help to reach that goal & here are some simple ways to help:

• Set up a meeting with your Representative in his/her district office

• Attend a local town hall where he/she is speaking

• Host a facility tour for your Member of Congress

• Call or email your Representatives

Don’t be discouraged if you are not successful initially in securing a meeting or a visit - it won’t be possible for all requests to be granted during this one month. However, be persistent; if not this visit, then maybe they can come the next time they are in town. (Many of the members of Congress from Minnesota take extended weekend visits back home and if you can be flexible with a weekend visit, you may have greater success.)

We are aware of at least two congressional visits planned in the next few weeks—two down, eight more to go!!! Let us know if you have been successful in getting a visit lined up—we would like to send a staff member to the meeting for “back up” and photo opportunities if at all possible.

To make it easy, we have posted talking points and other materials on our website (Click HERE) that were developed by AHCA. These materials will help you in educating your representatives about the impact of the recent CMS final rule on Medicare, the ongoing challenges of dealing with chronic underfunding from Medicaid, and how the additional proposed cuts to Medicare would affect facilities, staff, and most importantly, the residents you care for in your community.