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
Legislative Tips-Visit the MHCA Web Page
How to get legislative information Initiating an informal meeting with your
legislators Testimony tips
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