All too often, citizens believe they cannot influence the political and policymaking process. Fortunately, that perception is NOT ACCURATE, as lawmakers are eager to hear input from their constituents. In fact, they have a duty to listen to and address the concerns of their constituents, including those working in the home health care industry.

One of the most important steps WiAHC members can take to promote our industry and advance beneficial policies and legislation is to develop a relationship with their state legislators. With that in mind, the WiAHC Government Affairs Team is encouraging you to contact your state lawmakers TODAY, introduce yourself and educate them on the importance of the home health care industry in Wisconsin.

With the 2021-23 Wisconsin state budget bill currently under consideration, it is also an ideal time to remind your legislators the Medicaid reimbursement rate for Wisconsin home health care skilled nursing has not been increased in over a decade and their support for such increase is essential for the viability of home health care services in Wisconsin. 

Again, please contact your state lawmakers TODAY to introduce yourself and WiAHC, as well as to educate them on the home health care industry.

BACKGROUND:

Operating in communities through the state, home health care agencies offer a variety of health care services provided in the homes of patients and are integral to comprehensive post-acute medical care. In addition to offering quality, convenient care to patients in the comfort of their own homes, home health care agencies provide cost effective care that reduces the financial burden for patients as well as public and private payers.

However, home health care can mean different things to different people – including legislators. There is a great need to educate policymakers on what home health care means to WiAHC and our members. In short, skilled home health care includes a wide range of services to treat an illness or injury that are provided by skilled non-physician practitioners – including nurses and physical therapists – in a patient’s home.

It is also important for lawmakers to understand the benefits of home health care. Not only does it improve patient recovery time, convenience and quality of life, skilled home health care is typically less expensive then care a patient would receive in a hospital or other facility.

Unfortunately, current Medicaid reimbursement levels make it difficult to operate home health care agencies due to the problems it creates, including workforce retention and patient access challenges. Even a modest Medicaid rate increase would significantly improve home health care in Wisconsin.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:

E-mail your state legislators today to introduce yourself and educate them about the importance of the home health care industry in Wisconsin. Please feel free to use WiAHC’s sample e-mail when contacting your lawmakers. All you need to do is cut-and-paste it into an e-mail, but please consider personalizing your e-mail to include examples of your personal experiences that capture the benefits of home health care. Also, please attach the WiAHC 101 document – which is linked below – to your e-mail to lawmakers.

If you don’t know who your state legislators are, or do not have their contact information, simply CLICK HERE and type your home address in the upper right corner text box. Remember to contact both your state senator and state representative.

If you have any questions on this WiAHC Advocacy Action Alert request or would like additional information on the issue, please contact WiAHC at erik@hovenconsulting.com or tim@hovenconsulting.com.

ACTION ALERT RESOURCES:

• Sample e-mail to legislators
• WiAHC 101 Document