ACTION ALERT: Connect with Lawmakers This Week on Nursing Home Funding and LTC Issues

Last week, LeadingAge NY rolled out a nursing home-specific funding ask for both immediate financial relief prior to the end of current State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 and for upcoming SFY 2022-23. We are having conversations with legislative leaders as well as the Division of the Budget (DOB) and the Department of Health (DOH) around the specifics of our nursing home funding ask; however, our request will fall on deaf ears if we do not have a robust, unified message with our nursing home members statewide.

It is critical that all of our members, regardless of service line, make it a point to connect with their legislators this week before they take time off for the end-of-year holidays. It will be impactful for lawmakers to hear about the workforce and funding challenges you are experiencing, and will continue to contend with, as they prepare to go on holiday break. Helpful talking points for all of our members can be found here, but ultimately, lawmakers simply need to understand what you are seeing day to day and that the State needs to begin investing in long term care and aging services to address these problems. 

For our nursing home membership, we need your help in ensuring that every nursing home member is connecting with their lawmakers this week. Below are several action items that can be used in this effort:

1. Call your Assembly Member and State Senator and ask for 10 minutes of their time. You can refer to these talking points to assist in conversations.
2. Send this digital advocacy letter to lawmakers and the Governor ASAP. It only takes a few clicks, and you can easily share the letter link with board members, colleagues, and on social media.
3. After conversations with your lawmakers, ask that they send a letter to the Governor or legislative leaders with our request for immediate funding. Email Sarah Daly to receive a copy of a draft letter that can be shared directly with legislative offices.
4. Tell us about your advocacy! Either email Sarah Daly directly letting her know that you have contacted your lawmakers or fill out our Advocacy Engagement Form.
5. Get your network of nursing home families engaged in advocacy! The Nursing Home Families of New York has a digital advocacy letter available for nursing home family members to use in urging the Governor and lawmakers to provide immediate funding to nursing homes. The letter is available here, and we strongly encourage members to share it with your networks. 

LeadingAge NY held a nursing home member call last week to review our nursing home funding ask and our surrounding advocacy. If you were unable to join us for the call but are interested in hearing more details, a recording is available here.

Thank you as always for your advocacy, and please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. 

Contact: Sarah Daly, sdaly@leadingageny.org