There have been lots of changes in Congress these past few months, so now is an excellent time for you to make your move to become a lobbyist. Go directly to your legislators and speak with them, either in Washington or when they're at home in their district offices.
There is nothing more effective I can think of than a grassroots approach to politicians. I also cannot think of any groups better to launch such a program than home medical equipment providers or home health agencies. I am confident that you will be able to help guide our federal legislators in the right direction.
How do you start a local grassroots program? I assure you that a wee bit of effort on your part can prove effective and easy.
Just how many different families do you service? A great number. How many of your customers are homebound or bedridden? Many. These patients, their families and caregivers, friends, physicians, pharmacists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists and associates can form the nucleus of a grassroots program that can influence your congressmen.
Working with your state and national HME associations, you can find many excellent position papers about the problems that your clientele — who are also your congressional representatives' constituents — face. Use them.
When your customers visit your location, take the time to speak with them about these problems, and ask them to assist you in building the grassroots program. They will be the ultimate beneficiaries of these changes, and you need their support to become most effective.
Prepare a form letter about any of the HME issues that concern you to distribute to your clients. Ask that they send something along these lines to their legislator. Make sure to provide your customers with legislators' correct mailing addresses. Many will send the letter.
When they do, ask for copies so that when you go to Washington to lobby or to call on your federal representatives' home offices, you can take them. I know how effective this tactic can be. I have carried many constituent letters with me when I have lobbied, and these letters have been very well received.
More Thoughts on Politicians
Yes, for the last 30 years (maybe even longer), I have worked with the Health Industry Distributors Association and the American Association for Homecare (and its predecessors) on their formal lobbying programs. I have traveled with many state groups to meet their legislators.
I can sum up my feelings by stating that many politicians in Washington will listen, grunt affirmatively and then do little or nothing. In some offices, our groups often do not even get past the health legislative assistant.
However, there are those elected legislators who care and will listen as we present our problems and discuss them with us. This is why I continue to lobby — enough legislators pay heed to our tribulations, and they are the ones who do hear our voice.
These are the “doers,” and I never ask which party they follow. I don't ask legislators if they are conservatives, liberals or vegetarians. I personally give all my support to those who pay attention to our complaints and then help our industry. After all, we speak to the voters who keep them in office. We have to keep the pressure on!
The average HME or HHA business owner does not appreciate how effective he or she can be, or how effective their employees can be. Each HME provider or therapist, each HHA nurse or technician has an influence on the company's patients and clients. You can recommend legislators they should vote for and support.
We all have to become active in working with our legislators in 2007. I mentioned those legislators' health aides. Find out who they are and obtain those e-mail addresses and direct phone numbers. These legislative staff assistants can become your conduit to your senator or representative. They will carry your message and get answers back to you.
Over the years, I have made good friends with many of these fine young people, and they have helped this industry. You, too, can do the same.
Sheldon “Shelly” Prial is based in Melbourne, Fla., with Prial Consulting and also serves as the director of government relations for Atlanta-based Graham-Field Health Products. In 1987, he founded the Homecare Providers Co-Op, now part of The VGM Group. He can be reached by e-mail at shelly.prial@att.net or by phone at 877/553-5127.
