VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO
Full Menu Search

Government Relations: Be Knowledgeable, Be Specific

Published in Government Relations on February 13, 2024

Originally posted by HMENews on Feb 7, 2024.

Ike Isaacson

Q. I’m new to the advocacy game. How can I get started? 

A. If you have never engaged your legislator, it can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Effective communication with legislators is easy and essential for any advocacy success. Here are some tips to help you communicate effectively with legislators:  

  • Be specific: Be specific about the issue you are advocating for. Provide clear and concise information about the issue and why it is important.  
  • Ask for action: Ask your legislator to take specific action on the issue. This can include sponsoring a bill or taking other actions to support your cause.  
  • Use time wisely: Use your time wisely when communicating with legislators. Be respectful of their time and keep your message brief and to the point.  
  • Plan out your remarks: Plan out your remarks in advance. This can help you stay focused and ensure that you cover all of the key points.  
  • Solicit support from your legislator: Solicit support from your legislator by asking them to publicly support your cause. This can help build momentum and generate additional support for your issue.  
  • Tell the truth: Be honest and truthful in your communications with legislators. Provide accurate information and avoid exaggerating or misrepresenting the facts.  
  • Be respectful: Be respectful and courteous in your communications with legislators. Even if you disagree with their position, it is important to maintain a professional and respectful tone.  
  • Follow up: Follow up with your legislator after your initial communication. This can include sending a thank-you note or following up with additional information.  

In addition to these tips, it is important to be knowledgeable about the issue you are advocating for. This should include researching the issue, understanding the legislative process, knowing the key decision-makers and being a part of your industry advocacy groups such as VGM and others. 

For more helpful tips on effective advocacy visit: https://www.vgm.com/services/government-relations/. 

Mike “Ike” Isaacson is senior vice president of government relations at VGM & Associates. Reach him at mike.isaacson@vgm.com.

TAGS

  1. grassroots
  2. vgm
  3. vgm government

Get Connected

Stay up-to-date on the latest resources and news provided by VGM & Associates.

Sign Up for Email

From Our Experts

CMS files the Proposed Rule that sheds light on the next round of the Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail CMS files the Proposed Rule that sheds light on the next round of the Competitive Bidding Program On June 30, 2025, CMS filed the anticipated Proposed Rule that includes updates to the Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). Public comments are due 60 days from June 30, 2025. Below is a high-level summary of the rule. It is critical to note that, according to the Proposed Rule Fact Sheet dated June 30, 2025, CMS has stated that they have not announced the specific product categories they are bidding or the specific timeframe for the next competition. Those specifics will be forthcoming in a fu Senate Narrowly Passes HR1, Sending It Back to House for Final Approval thumbnail Senate Narrowly Passes HR1, Sending It Back to House for Final Approval President Donald Trump's sweeping legislative package, formally titled the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, now referred to as HR1., cleared the Senate today in a dramatic 51–50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. The bill now returns to the House, where lawmakers must decide whether to adopt the Senate's revised version or negotiate further changes before it can reach the president's desk. Several Prominent Medicaid Provisions in Senate's Budget Bill Deemed in Violation of Byrd Rule thumbnail Several Prominent Medicaid Provisions in Senate's Budget Bill Deemed in Violation of Byrd Rule Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough advised this week that multiple Medicaid provisions in the Senate's reconciliation bill would violate Senate procedure by violating the Byrd Rule. The Byrd Rule is a Senate-specific procedural process that allows Senators to prevent or block inclusion of extraneous provisions in reconciliation bills. Other provisions are still under review. Evaluating the Value of a Payer Contract thumbnail Evaluating the Value of a Payer Contract In our last article, Key Payers Denied Your Application Citing Their Network Is Closed – Now What?, we discussed strategies for addressing payer contracting denials due to a closed network. As indicated, this process can be an extremely time-consuming exercise with no guarantees and mixed results. Below are a few things to consider as you evaluate whether a contract is worth the extra effort. Webinar: Webinar: "Navigating The New CMS Landscape: RADs, HMVs, and Supplier Survival" on June 25 at 1 p.m. CT. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its final National Coverage Determination (NCD) for RADs and HMVs used in treating chronic respiratory failure due to COPD. While the rule potentially expands access to bilevel ST therapy (RADs), it also introduces complex compliance requirements, tighter usage criteria, and increased documentation burdens—without additional reimbursement. The Return of Competitive Bidding thumbnail The Return of Competitive Bidding The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) appear to be laying the groundwork for another round of the Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). While full implementation will take a couple of years, an official announcement is expected this summer—potentially as early as July. Out With The Old RAC, In With The New thumbnail Out With The Old RAC, In With The New On April 28, 2025, CMS awarded Cotiviti GOV Services LLC, the new RAC Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Region 3, 4, and 5 contracts. RAC Region 3 includes the following Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) jurisdictions: JJ, JM, and JN. RAC Region 4 includes jurisdictions: JE, JF, and JL. And RAC Region 5 includes jurisdictions: JA, JB, JC, JD, as well as the HH/H MACs: J6, J15, JK, and JM. Iowa Leads the Charge! All Four Representatives Back H.R. 2005—Will Your State Step Up? thumbnail Iowa Leads the Charge! All Four Representatives Back H.R. 2005—Will Your State Step Up? At VGM Group, Inc. we have the pleasure of serving our members and partners throughout the country.  One of the many ways we do this is through legislative advocacy, working with our partners to create a more equitable and effective healthcare system. All our VGM units are dedicated to advancing our partners' businesses, streamlining operations, and working every day to enhance reimbursement for the quality in-home healthcare our industry provides all people.

Give your business an advantage over the competition.

Become a Member