Effective Advocacy. Creating an advocacy campaign to engage our communities. September 27, 2017 AIFC

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1 Effective Advocacy Creating an advocacy campaign to engage our communities September 27, 2017 AIFC

2 AACHC WHO WE ARE Founded in 1985 Primary Care Association in Arizona 25 Members, 23 of which are Health Center Program Grantees or Federally Qualified Health Centers 155 sites (CHCs) in rural and urban communities across Arizona Member of the National Association for Community Health Centers (NACHC)

3 CHC GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY ADVOCACY BREAKDOWN IMPACT OF ADVOCACY ACTION STEPS

4 CHC GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY Advocacy is expressing your voice in support of a cause or mission, such as the health center mission, by spreading the word and taking action

5 Advocacy vs Lobbying ADVOCATING Talking to members of Congress, legislators or the community about important issues and educating them on these LOBBYING Asking legislators or the community to support a specific bill UNLIMITED <5% OF THE TOTAL BUDGET YES! It s okay for health centers to advocate.

6 AACHC Public Policy Team CEO John McDonald Federal Affairs Tara Plese Erika Martinez Behavioral Health Eddie Sissons Grassroots Advocacy Erika Martinez State Affairs Tara Plese State Lobbyists

7 Why is health center advocacy important? Government decisions have a great impact on our patients and on our economy

8 Government Impact GOVERNMENT DECISIONS IMPACT HEALTH CENTERS DIRECTLY On average, health centers nationally get funded through: 40% Medicaid/CHIP 21% Federal 13% Other Grants/Contracts 7% State 7% Private Third-Party Payers 6% Patient Self-Pay 6%Medicare 2015 Arizona CHC Payer Mix* *2015 UDS Report

9 Advocacy can help address social determinants of health

10 Advocacy is good for our health TELLING YOUR STORY IS HEALTHY AND EMPOWERING! Good for confidence and self-esteem Good for sense of control over life One study found that when a group listened to others' stories, they better controlled their high blood pressure than another group taking extra medication* *

11 Your voice has a direct impact Medicaid Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015 (April 16, 2015) $7.2 billion for health centers over two years Two year extended funding for Teaching Health Centers and the national Health Service Corps (NHSC) programs

12 Our success, and our future, depends on the strength of our advocacy. Advocacy requires large numbers of motivated individuals.

13 Issues CURRENT ISSUES AFFECTING CHCS IN ARIZONA Medicaid CHC Grants Future of the ACA Workforce

14 Make the Case for your organization

15 Make the case for your organization Collect stories of impact from the people you serve Prepare talking points for your advocates Be concise Share templates advocates can use Remember Good data leads to stronger advocacy to help tell a clear story Showcase your local impact Create infographics or fact sheets Examples are available at hcadvocacy.org/makethecase

16 Messages to convey Serve EVERYONE regardless of ability to pay Save Money Create Jobs Locally Governed Provide High Quality Health Care

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18 Be proactive BECOME AN EFFECTIVE ADVOCATE It s not enough to support your organization, you have to use your voice and take action!

19 Five ways to support CHCs Become an ACE Become an Advocate #ValueCHCs Contact members of Congress Spread the Word

20 Create an advocacy plan 1) Make advocacy an organizational priority 2) Operationalizing advocacy 3) Engage the community in advocacy 4) National Health Center Week and observances 5) Reporting, revisions and status updates

21 Story banking WAYS TO HIGHLIGHT COLLECTED STORIES Social Media Organizational Blogs or Newsletters Outreach and enrollment events Earned Media Press Events During tours with policy makers

22 Events INVOLVE YOUR COMMUNITY AT LARGE Day of Action Call Letters/Postcards Social Media Letter writing day for young advocates Story banking Tours for policy makers May be conducted in conjunction with other events

23 Request to Speak BE AN ACTIVE VOICE OF OUR STATE LEGISLATURE The Request to Speak system allows you to log into your account from the comfort of your home or office. Through the program you can support, oppose or remain neutral on a bill as well as leave any comments you have. Additionally, you can track bills affecting issues you care about.

24 Thank You ERIKA MARTINEZ GRASSROOTS COORDINATOR