Take Action With WALA
This exciting and informative day prepared participants to be an advocate for assisted living communities with Wisconsin Legislators, in a non-threatening and easy way.
First, WALA's Lobbyist, Forbes McIntosh, gave tips on having successful meetings with Legislators and spoke the current issues facing assisted living in Wisconsin. WALA had two guest speakers, Senator Leah Vukmir, Chair on the Committee on Health and Human Services and DHS Secretary-Elect Kitty Rhoades. They both talked on the current issues from their perspective and took comments and questions from participants.
After lunch, participants walked to the Capitol to speak with Legislators to inform them about the issues facing assisted living providers in Wisconsin. Each participant had two meetings set up, one with their Senator and one with their Representative. Participants were invited to come together again after their appointments to a networking reception so that WALA could thank you them advocating for Assisted Living Communities.
Here are issues that WALA addressed:
2013 Legislative Day Public Policy Issue Papers
Family Care and Managed Care Organizations
Legal Interventions for Persons with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
DHS Residential Services Sustainability Initiative
Please join us next year!
Here's what YOU can do to support assisted living in Wisconsin!
Invite candidates to meet with residents
It's a fact that seniors vote, and most candidates would jump at the chance to meet and greet with them in your facility. Not only does it raise the profile of your facility and your residents in their mind, but it makes a great activity program as well! A list of all candidates registered with contact information is available on the State Elections Board website.
Help residents get registered to vote
Although we do have same-day registration in Wisconsin, it will make things much easier if residents are registered in advance. They will need to have available acceptable proof of residence, which can include a photo ID or a copy of their lease/contract. You can find registration information and forms on the State Elections Board website.
If they are going to vote absentee, you will need to have them registered and request an absentee ballot by 5 p.m. on the Thursday before the election.
Drive residents to the polls
Facilities with transportation capability should organize trips to the polling place on election day -- in fact, most do so already. This is another great way to provide an activity for your residents.
Also...Here's what YOU can do to support assisted living in Wisconsin!
Call Legislators
We need you to call legislators and let them know how crucial it is not to leave providers and consumers in the lurch while we wait for Family Care.
If you are unsure who represents you, visit http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov to look up your legislators or call WALA at 608/288-0246.
What To Say
When making calls, be polite and brief. Legislative staffers need to know two things: who you are and what you want them to do. Identify yourself and the facility/company you represent. In a few sentences, describe the action your legislator should take and why they should do it.
Example:
"Hi, this is Jane Provider of Sunrise Glade Assisted Living in Schofield, Wisconsin. I would like to ask Senator Decker to take out the Governor's proposal to expand the Long-Term Care Ombudsman into Resident Care Apartment Complexes, which is in sections 73 and 1768 of the budget bill. RCACs are very different from other kinds of assisted living, and this expansion proposal is inappropriate. I'd also like Senator Decker to support a 5% across-the-board increase in funding for long-term care programs. We can't wait five years for Family Care to get up and running."
The staffer should then ask for your address. Give both your facility/company's address and your home address.
If the staffer has questions about what you're asking, have them call WALA at 608/288-0246 for details. Be sure to thank them for their time.
Once You Are Finished
In order for us to track calls, please e-mail Sarah Bass at sbass@ewala.org or call 608/288-0246 and let us know which legislators you have contacted.
Take Action To Support Assisted Living-Make These Calls NOW!