Summer Advocacy Toolkit – Connect with Legislators in the District

(Aug. 12, 2025) The summer and fall pose an opportune time to connect with state legislators in the district and strengthen your relationships. This year, your ongoing advocacy is more important than ever.

The federal budget bill passed in July of 2025 included changes to the Medicaid program and state provider taxes, both of which bear significant influence on the federal funding available to New York State. The Division of Budget (DOB) has indicated that the federal bill imposes an unbudgeted $750 million cost to New York’s current fiscal year (through March 31, 2026), with at least $3 billion in additional costs for next year. In addition, the current year’s state budget pledged the continuation of - and new investments in - Medicaid rate increases for long-term care providers.  However, these dollars are contingent on federal approval and are predicated on the availability of Managed Care Organization (MCO) tax revenue. Due to provisions of the federal bill, New York is expected to lose much of the MCO tax revenue that was meant to support these critical increases.

Lawmakers care about what their constituents care about! As New York State prepares to navigate this loss of federal funding and what it means for the broader health care continuum, it is critical that legislators are made aware of ongoing challenges, recent successes and real-world stories unfolding in the district.  LeadingAge NY strongly encourages members to strengthen relationships with members of the New York State Legislature by inviting them to visit your organization in the coming weeks and months.

Below, members will find a new set of materials to support your conversations and to help schedule a visit, tour or meeting with your State Assembly Member and Senator. In addition, please do not hesitate to contact us directly to assist you in scheduling an event or other activity.  

Summer Press and Advocacy Tools:

• • How-To Guide to Scheduling a Facility Tour
  • Service-Line Summer Issue Briefs:
    • Nursing Home
    • Adult Care Facility/Assisted Living
    • Home & Community-Based Services
    • Senior Housing
    • Managed Long-Term Care & PACE
  • Find your state legislators here.

State legislators also appreciate being invited to community events such as award celebrations, summer barbecues, ribbon-cuttings, or other unique community events that you might be hosting. If nothing else, we strongly recommend members simply keep state legislators’ offices well-informed of your organization’s challenges and successes, thank them for their investments in this year’s state budget, and stress that ongoing investments are needed in order to ensure quality care for aging New Yorkers.

The more we educate our elected officials and community stakeholders now, the more effective we can be when we are pushing for positive change for older adults and our sector in 2026.

Again, please do not hesitate to reach out directly for support in organizing a legislative visit in your district. Please contact Sarah Daly with any questions or ideas.

Contact: Sarah Daly, sdaly@leadingageny.org