Aug. 8, 2007

The Good Lord didn’t make a more loyal AAHSA member or more credible elder advocate than Shirley Barnes from Minneapolis. On July 31, I asked all of you to flood your Congressman and Senators during their August recess at home about your concerns — even outrage — about freezes on Medicare cost–of–living increases, about the continuing problem with therapy caps, about user fees, about a broken Medicaid system, about inadequate housing funding, and the need for technology planning.

We asked you to flood your elected officials with appointments to meet with your boards, residents and staff about the effects of some of the Congressional actions or a predicted veto of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) bill, which contains provisions for Medicare and nursing home payment. We also asked you to flood them with thanks for their interest and concern.

Typical of her leadership, Shirley Barnes contacted Congressman Keith Ellison (D–Minn.) even before we asked. The Congressman’s staff met with Shirley’s staff and residents at the Boulevard and sent a letter of thanks. He said, "The feedback I received has given me a better perspective of how the legislative proposals in Congress affect Minnesotans. The residents of the Boulevard and their personal situations will remain with me as I cast my votes for health care and senior issues in the U.S. House of Representatives."

Yes, we must change the perspectives of an elected official. And yes we must help them make it personal. If you watch much political discussion on television these days, you can see and hear how politicians can lose perspective on the personal problems families face every day.

Let the August flood continue. Make it personal about how Medicare and Medicaid freezes impact employees who may not get a raise and the quality of care that your residents and clients receive. Make it personal about how a veto of an SCHIP bill will jeopardize the health of your employees’ children. Tell them how user fees take away money from direct care services. Help them understand how badly seniors need affordable housing.

Shirley Barnes knew what to do. Don’t take no for an answer about a visit, a response to a letter or a petition from residents, families or employees. Don’t let them say no to a letter from your board.

Flood them with perspective and the reality about people and real situations. We have tools and contact to help you flood their offices with your perspective on the personal problems that your residents, clients and staff face. And let us know what you’re doing.

Larry

William L. Minnix, Jr., D.Min.
AAHSA President and CEO

Contact Congress on SCHIP, appropriations and housing.