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Advocating for your industry with elected officialsMany elected officials may not understand how home medical equipment (HME) providers like you deliver care to their constituents. Read this guide to learn how to engage with politicians and show them exactly how important your role is to the health and well-being of the community.

mms.mckesson.com/hme-advocacy888.822.8111

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2 Engaging with elected officials mms.mckesson.com/hme-advocacy

Engaging with elected officials may seem intimidating; however, keep in mind that legislators work for you. You elect them, and it’s your right and responsibility to tell them what matters to their constituents. This feedback is an important part of a legislator’s decision-making process, so you want your voice heard. With some preparation, engaging with elected officials doesn’t have to make you nervous.

Most state associations and AAHomecare, the national HME industry advocacy group, have ongoing, regular engagements with state and federal elected officials about topics that matter most to the HME industry. When you join these associations, you’ll be connected with HME providers just like you who are passionate about making a difference and driving the industry forward.

It’s likely that these associations also have resources you can use when preparing for your engagement with the elected official, such as clearly stated positions on important HME topics. AAHomecare even has white papers you can reference and send directly to legislators.

Take the opportunity to visit elected officials, and do so as a group of providers. You’ll have safety in numbers and it will help your message cut through the clutter.

Visit McKesson’s HME advocacy web page to connect with both your state association and AAHomecare.

mms.mckesson.com/hme-advocacy

Joining your state association and AAHomecare grants you expert advice, legislative updates, and networking opportunities.

Join your state association and AAHomecare

3 Engaging with elected officials mms.mckesson.com/hme-advocacy

Write to themSend a message to your elected officials on issues that matter most to you.

Avoid “snail mail” Letters may get lost in the shuffle and are not as easy for officials to respond to. Do a quick search online by typing “find my elected official” and you will find several websites where you can enter your zip code to find your elected official’s email address.

Be specific Deal with just one subject or issue in your email. Be sure to state your topic clearly in the first paragraph. If you are writing about a piece of legislature, include the bill number and title. Tell the legislator your opinion on this issue, and how you would like the legislator to vote.

Be brief Your email should only be one or two paragraphs. Personalize your email text with details about yourself and your business, but be sure to stay on topic.

Call themCalling your legislator’s office is a fast way to make a quick impact and share your opinion on the issues important to you and other HMEs.

Find your elected official’s phone numberA quick search online of “find my elected official” will provide several websites where you can enter your zip code to get your elected official’s phone number.

Introduce yourselfWhen you call, tell the staffer that you’re a constituent, and give them your name and address, if asked.

Be directClearly state your position on the issue/legislation in two or three sentences. You may want to practice this in advance before you make the call.

Thank the staffer for their time.

Social mediaMany legislators use social media to communicate with constituents and gauge public opinion.

Do your researchWhich social media platform (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) does your legislator use most?

Keep your comments short and simple, which is most appropriate for social media.

Stay on messageOther constituents may not agree with your opinion, and that’s ok. What’s most important is that you state your opinion clearly and concisely.

In-person meeting See next page for tips to help you prepare for the meeting.

Determine how you’ll communicate

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Before the meetingConfirm your legislature is in session Easily do this through an online search for your state General Assembly or for U.S. Congress’s schedule.

Contact the office Request a meeting at least two weeks before your visit. You’ll want to reference the issue.

Meet in their districtConsider seeking meetings in your legislator’s home district as well. When you call the office, ask for your legislator’s availability in your district.

Be flexible Offer several dates/times and a convenient location for them. Consider inviting the elected official to your facility/office for a tour, discussing your issues informally over coffee, or having the meeting at their district office.

Do your homework Do an online search on the elected official you’re planning to visit to find out what they’re passionate about. You’ll want to uncover if they have a stated position on the topic you’d like to discuss with them.

Gather your data and facts If you’re passionate about an HME topic, you’ll likely have some data to share with the legislative official. It’s important you are prepared with this information before your meeting so that your argument is compelling.

Write your elevator pitch In a few sentences, write down what you want to talk about and why it is important to you and their other constituents.

At the meetingIntroduce yourself and explain your connection You’ll want to let them know if you’re a constituent, if you do business in their district, and how many employees you have.

Elevator pitch In 2-3 minutes, give a brief summary of the issue and explain the impact it may have on you and other constituents.

Clearly state your position and your ask of them Provide your perspective on the topic and what you are asking of them.

Become a resource Offer to serve as a resource for the staffer or elected official.

After the meetingFollow up Thank the legislator or staffer through email and reiterate the bill/issue discussed, along with your stance and what your ask is of them.

Connect with other HME providers in your area Contact as many HME providers in your area as possible, and let them know what you’ve done, the results, and request they contact the same staffer or legislative official.

Remember, while you may compete on referral sources, any negative legislative issue will impact all of you. The more HME providers in your area making the same request to an elected official, the louder your collective voice becomes.

Reconnect Three months after your initial meeting, send another note to the staffer or legislator to see if they need anything or if there’s been any progress on your request.

Repeat If no movement has occurred on your issue, meet with the elected official with the same request, following the same process and provide the same information.

Need more information and resources? Visit mms.mckesson.com/hme-advocacy or AAHomecare’s website at www.aahomecare.org.

Prepare for your meeting

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