Lobbying for Quality Patient Care

1. LobbyingforQuality Patient Care Presented by: New York State Nurses Association Practice and Governmental Affairs Program

2. Lobbying for Quality Patient Care Learning Objectives: At the completion of this presentation, the nurse will be able to: 1. Define politics, power and lobbying. 2. Participate in basic lobbying activities to advocate for quality patient care. 3. Describe NYSNA’s structure and organizational units for implementing The Legislative Program.

3. Politics - Power - Lobbying • Politics: • Involves power, influence, and authority in interpersonal and intergroup relationships within a defined jurisdiction or territory (Archer & Goehner, 1982) • The allocation of scarce resources (Kalish & Kalish, 1982) • Power: A means to achieve your ends.

4. Political power: The ability to translate any type of power into votes by constituents or actions by a policymaker • Money: financial resources • People: mobilization of constituents • Mission: commitment to the issue • Will: focus, perseverance & patience • Informational: substantiates your position • Media: coverage at all levels. Excerpted from The Non-Profit’s Guide to New York State Policy Makers, published by The Council of Community Services of New York State, Inc.

5. Politics - Power - Lobbying • Lobbying: Activities designed to influence the decisions made by individuals in positions of authority. • Basic lobbying activities: • Written communication using letters or emails • Lobbying visits to the legislator in his or her district office • Attendance at NYSNA Lobby Days at the capitol • Participation in legislative receptions.

6. How a Bill Becomes a Law Idea for bill is presented to a potential sponsor Bill is drafted and assigned a bill number Bill is reviewed by committee(s) Bill is debated and voted on by 2nd house. If passed, it is sent to the Governor. Bill is debated and voted on by one house. If passed it is sent to the other house Bill is reviewed by committee(s) in second house Bill is signed into law Bill is reviewed by Governor or Bill is vetoed and dies Veto is overriden by 2/3 majority in both houses - bill becomes law or

7. Lobbying:Getting Your Message Across • Effective communication is key • Letter writing • Electronic mail • Lobbying visits

8. Lobbying:Getting Your Message Across • Timing is important too • When the bill is introduced • When the bill is assigned to committee • When the bill is coming to the “floor” • After the vote

9. Effective Communications:Letter Writing • One subject per letter • Specify your support or opposition to the bill and refer to the issue by bill number. • State your position courteously, concisely and back it up with specific statistics or situations. • State your request for action clearly. • If you are a constituent of the legislator, say so. • Sign your name with RN. • Send copies of your letter to key legislators and NYSNA

10. Addresses • Governor State Capitol Albany, NY 12224 • NYS Senate Honorable ______ NYS Senate Albany, NY 12247 • NYS Assembly Honorable ______ NYS Assembly Albany, NY 12248 • US Senate Honorable _________ U.S. Senator United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 • US House of Representatives Honorable _________ Member of Congress U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515

11. SAMPLE

12. Effective Communications:Emails • Use the bill number in the “subject” heading of your message. • Include your “snail mail” address as well as your email address. • Sign your full name with RN. • Forward your email to NYSNA at legislative@nysna.org • Keep a copy of the email for yourself. • Email addresses: last name@senate.state.ny.us or last name@assembly.state.ny.us

13. SAMPLE

14. Effective Communications:Legislator Visits • Know your issue. • Know your legislator. • Invite interested colleagues. • Call in advance for an appointment. • Arrive on time. • Keep the meeting brief • Ask for the action you want

15. Ask for What You Want • To sponsor or co-sponsor a bill • To late sponsor a bill • To support (or oppose) the bill in committee • To speak about the bill in party conference • To talk to the Majority Leader or Speaker • To speak to the media in favor of a bill • To vote for (or against) the bill

16. After the Lobbying Visit • Write a follow up letter • Complete an NYSNA Legislator Visit Assessment Tool • Monitor for the action you requested. • Politely hold the legislator accountable to the promises made.

17. Lobbying Tools From NYSNA • Lobbying Packets • Memoranda on specific bills • Talking points • Action Alerts • Leg Line: 1-800-724-INFO • Web Site: www.nysna.org

19. The NYSNA Legislative Program • Consumer Advocacy and Health Promotion • Educational System for Nursing • Environment in Which Nursing is Practiced • Government Accountability for Health Care Policy and Assuring Quality of Care

20. NYSNA Council on Legislation • Nine members appointed by the NYSNA Board of Directors • Nurses with expertise in legislative and political affairs • Develops the Legislative Program for recommendation to the Board and the Voting Body • Determines degree of support or opposition for a given piece of legislation

21. The Legislative DistrictCoordinator (LDC) Network • Over 100 registered nurses who are contacts for members of the NYS Legislature • The LDC is a resource for the legislator concerning health care and nursing • Assist NYSNA-PAC in the endorsement of both incumbent and challenger candidates • For more information about participating, contact the NYSNA Practice & Governmental Affairs Program

22. NYSNA Political Action Committee (The PAC) • Established in July of 1992. • Leadership is vested in an eleven member board of trustees. • Supports candidates for state office who will help advance our legislative goals. • Funded by RN contributions. • Brings our strong, unified voice to the halls of power and decision-making.

23. What Else Can I Do to Get Involved? • NYSNA Legislative Workshop and Reception • NYSNA Albany Lobby Day • NYSNA Local Lobby Day • Organize a “Keep Pace with a Nurse” legislator activity • Contribute to the NYSNA-PAC

24. YOU Can Advance Nursing’s Agenda! Be informed Get involved Stay involved Involve others Vote

25. Some useful websites • http://www.ncsbn.org/ National Council of State Boards of Nursing • http://www.nursingworld.org/ American Nurses Association • http://www.kaisernetwork.org/ Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation – health policy website