Advocacy Engagement Strategies and Best Practices Prepared for MONE By Tina Grant, VP, Public Policy & State Advocacy

“The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pauses between the notes--- ah, that is where the art resides” – Artur Schnabel

Advocacy Needs to be a System Priority – the why Unified Voice Catholic health care will benefit from our stronger, unified voice to advocate for better care, especially for those who are poor and vulnerable United, we will collaborate with all persons of good will to be a transforming and healing presence in the world 3

What is Your Advocacy how and who? Leveraging the strength of CHE Trinity Health -- including its leaders, colleagues, and geographic footprint -- our advocacy program will effectively influence public policies that are critical to achieving the ministry's mission and goals. 4

We believe America should have a health care system that: Provides everyone with access to health coverage and high-quality care Coordinates care in a way that places the patient at the center of all health decisions Rewards quality over quantity Essential Elements of Health Care Transformation – the why 5

Our Advocacy Strategy – A Three-Prong Approach 1.Building relationships with policymakers 2.Collaborating with like-minded groups 3.Educating UEM leaders, associates, and community leaders on health care transformation 6

Building Relationships Developing a relationship with legislators and their staff Requires some initial face to face time Make sure you follow-up via thank you notes and additional communication on items of interest, especially important to keep in touch with the staff: Chief of Staff, Health staff, District staff Don’t be afraid of “cold” contacts – YOU are the constituent Show an interest in what they care about, be sensitive to their politics, seek a meeting for coffee or lunch with no real agenda. Opportunities in the state/district: town meetings, and invite official/staff to your hospital Lesson: A little work and persistence – big results 7

Building Relationships Watergate story – As a young, junior staffer working in the White House, Bob Woodward struck up a conversation with a senior official of the FBI, W. Mark Felt. He maintained the relationship and years later, when Bob Woodward was working at the Washington Post, this relationship became the basis for “Deep Throat” the story we now know to be Watergate. Lesson: The best relationships are friendships. 8

Nurses Have the “Most Trusted” Advantage According to a December 2013 Gallup Poll… Americans continue to rate registered nurses as the most trusted profession, according to this year's Gallup survey, which ranks professions based on their honesty and ethical standards. Nurses have been voted the most ethical and honest profession in America in Gallup's annual survey for 14 of the past 15 years. This year, 82% of Americans rated nurses' honesty and ethical standards as "very high" or "high," a small dip from 2012, which at 85% was the highest rating for RNs since nurses were first included in the poll in Every legislator has a nurse as a health care provider and must know several nurses. 9

Collaborating with Like-Minded Groups Catholic Health Association (CHA) American Hospital Association (AHA) State Hospital Associations State Medical Societies State Catholic Conferences Enroll America American Society of Health System Pharmacists National Quality Forum MONE 10

Building Collaborations Nurses understand best the patient perspective; ie, nurse staffing ratios, education requirements, 2 midnight rule, emerging workforce needs Think about all who will be impacted by a policy change as well as unintended consequences Elected officials are more likely to support policy changes that have broad-base support Lesson: When you keep patients first and collaborate with those who share this mindset, you will be influential 11

Building Collaborations Policymaking without collaboration is doomed to failure. Clinton Health Plan as example. Decided their position and developed the details in a vacuum, sought Congressional support without input, tried to sell it to the public without sufficient validators Lesson: Policymaking must begin with external information and communication to give it a foundation 12

Identify Unlikely Allies Medicaid Expansion in MI was a result of providers, public health groups, AARP, Small Business Association, and Chambers of Commerce aligning to build political momentum. Lesson: Ongoing networking creates goodwill and you never know when you will need to fall back on someone’s goodwill 13

Educating Leaders, Associates and Community Members Lead the Way – Transforming America’s Health –Building support for transformative health care policy by educating targeted audiences and inspiring associate engagement –Providing a toolkit of resources to Advocacy leaders Engaging groups in education and advocacy efforts –RHM and System office leaders –Physicians (employed and affiliated) –Colleagues –Community Members –Internet resources include e-advocacy site 14

Communicating your Message Successful legislators will want to know more than why the position you advocate is right. Good lobbying means doing as much of the legislators’ legwork as possible, i.e. know the reasons behind the other side and neutralize opposition before they are forced to take a stand Tell your story – make it human, emotional, and interesting. Lesson: Tell your personal/unique story and know the other side’s story 15

Grasstops and Grassroots are Important Home Home | About Us | Education | Issues | Newsroom | Advocacy | Events | Patient Safety & Quality | MHA Service Corp.About UsEducationIssuesNewsroomAdvocacyEventsPatient Safety & QualityMHA Service Corp. Hospitals Advocating Care Together (Hospitals-ACT) is an initiative dedicated to bringing together hospital and health system employees, trustees and volunteers, and the public to deliver healthcare public policy advocacy messages to state lawmakers, the governor, the media, and other audiences. Michigan's Community Hospitals Stand for Fair and Adequate Medicaid & Medicare Funding, Health Coverage for All, Paid for by All, Voluntary Improvements in Patient Safety & Quality, A Strong Certificate of Need (CON) Program and Preservation of Michigan's Medical Liability Reforms. Access to your elected officials and local media is available in our Contact Center. Our latest advocacy alerts are available in our Action Center. Questions about using the Hospital-ACT site should be directed here.Fair and Adequate Medicaid & Medicare FundingHealth Coverage for All, Paid for by AllVoluntary Improvements in Patient Safety & QualityA Strong Certificate of Need (CON) ProgramPreservation of Michigan's Medical Liability ReformsContact CenterAction Centerhere Find Officials Look up and contact your officials. Quick Sign Up Use the form below to sign up for alerts. Copyright © MHA 16

Measure and Realign Strategies Based on Outcomes Measure policy outcomes: did you achieve desired result? Measure engagement: were coalitions strong, did all members engage, did system support with grassroots, etc? Evaluate relationships: who are key legislators and how might these relationships be strengthened? 17