To Schedule an Appointment

Personal visits to lawmakers in their district offices can have important immediate impact and generate lasting impressions.  Every Member of Congress and Texas State Legislator has at least one local office in the district, and most have several.
Congressional and State district offices are staffed with people whose job it is to communicate with constituents like you. They are essential advisors to legislators, so do not underestimate their ability to influence their boss or his/her policy decisions.
To arrange a district meeting, call, write or email a district office to set up an appointment to meet with your elected representative in either the Capitol or District office. If your representative is not immediately available, feel free to schedule the appointment at their convenience.

By Phone

Telephone calls to legislators and staff are extremely important, especially when a vote is imminent. Only call your own legislators—staff will ask on the phone who you are and where you are from.
All Texas state legislators can be reached through the State Capitol switchboard at (512) 463-4630.
Your two U.S. Senators and Congressman can be reached through the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

In Writing

Here are some tips for effective written communications with your legislators:

• Use personal stationary showing your home address. That’s where you vote – and that’s why your legislator cares about what you have to say. If your company is located in a legislator’s district, use the company’s letterhead.
• Address your legislator appropriately (see below)
• Provide some brief background information about you and/or your company, including how many clients/patients you serve and roughly how many people your company employs.  Remind your legislator of your expertise (years in the industry, etc.).
• Support your request with two or three sentences of relevant facts.
• Avoid using industry-specific jargon or acronyms (such as PHC, HHA, LTSS, etc.).
• Politely request a commitment for their support of your issue (“Please support/oppose X legislation…)
• Fax a copy of your letter to your legislator to any appropriate staff person who you’ve met who handles health care issues for them.  You can also email a letter or message in many cases.
• Fax or email letters to your U.S. Senators and Congressman in Washington (never mail) because security processes result in 2 to 3 month delays in receipt of regular mail.
• If the legislator takes the action you have requested, always send a thank you letter or note!

Facts Your Legislator Wants to Know About You and Your Business

The first things that your legislator will want to know is where you live/work, how many clients you serve in their district, and what your business does.  The more specific you can be about the number of people you serve and where, the better.

Secondly, ask how much they already know about home care or hospice.  Many legislators know little but some may have personal or professional experiences to inform them.  Third, describe your typical patient or client.  

Also mention that the types of home care services provided under Medicaid versus Medicare are different (hospice being the exception).  Regardless, of the payment source for your clients, home care and hospice improves the quality of life of patients by retaining them in a lower-cost setting, amongst the people and things they love.  Home care has the potential to save the state and federal government money by reducing readmissions, especially for chronically-ill patients, and assisting in care coordination.

Lastly – and most importantly – talk about what you know.  Discuss the potential impact of rules and legislation on the people you care for and share success stories to illustrate the value of home care and hospice.

How to Address Your Elected Official