Champions of Change: 55 in 55, Let's Make One Last Push!

Published in Government Relations on October 16, 2023

With 2023 quickly coming to an end, this year’s congressional session is also reaching its end. It is time to make one final push before the end of the session. VGM Government Relations is asking you to make one final push to get H.R. 5555 and S. 1294 passed.

“The goal of 55 in 55 is to schedule 55 visits with legislators and/or their staff in 55 days,” said Mike Isaacson, SVP of Government and Regulatory Affairs, VGM & Associates. “We are in the bell lap of the legislative session, and your voice is needed now to get us across the finish line. There is so much happening on Capitol Hill that the noise can drown out the real work that has to be done.  We need you, our Champions of Change, to make sure that the message is heard LOUD AND CLEAR. We need your elected officials to support H.R. 5555 in the House, and S. 1294 on the Senate side.”

These meetings are important because we must let our legislators know that the industry cannot sustain 30% cuts in reimbursement.  We need to let our legislators know that people and communities must have access to the life-changing home health services that you provide.

We are asking you to reach out to your congressperson TODAY to schedule a visit with them or their staff in their home district and ask them to support H.R. 5555 and S. 1294. If you would like to learn more about these bills or see who is already sponsoring, please click here. While the key committees continue to work through bill priorities, we need your congressperson to stand up for you and for your clients to ensure that our bills are passed and that services can continue. If you have already reached out to your legislator, please consider doing so again.

VGM Government Relations has many tools in place to help you with the meeting process. To prepare for the meeting, please review the Congressional Meetings 101 Guide. If you would like further assistance in scheduling your meeting, please reach out to Mike Isaacson at mike.isaacson@vgm.com.

One last request: Once your meeting is complete, please click the link at the top of the legislation page to tell us about your meeting, and please include a picture if you can.

Thank you for being a Champion of Change!

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