WiHPCA’s grassroots advocacy program is critical to the success of the association’s overall government affairs program. It allows our members to have a voice and influence in shaping public policy that impacts hospice and palliative care in Wisocnisn.

With that in mind, we are pleased to report about WiHPCA’s latest legislative advocacy outreach effort. WiHPCA Board Chair Lynne Sexten recently hosted state lawmaker Rep. Ellen Schutt (R-Clinton) at Agrace Hospice in Janesville to discuss WiHPCA and the importance of hospice and palliative care to Wisconsin patients and their families. The meeting, which also included WiHPCA Advocacy Director Michael Welsh, provided a great opportunity to educate a key state policymaker about hospice and the challenges the industry faces daily.  Rep. Schutt did have a basic understanding of hospice, given she had a grandmother who received hospice care, but the meeting allowed us to provide detailed information about hospice and dig into WiHPCA policy priorities.

Lynne did a great job briefing Rep. Schutt on the value of hospice and palliative care, as wells as WiHPCA’s state legislative priorities, which focused primarily on the industry’s workforce challenges. WiHPCA would like to thank Lynne for making time to host the meeting. As usual, she did a wonderful job leading the discussion. She also provided Rep. Schutt with a great tour of the Agrace facility.

As mentioned above, grassroots advocacy is the most powerful tool WiHPCA has at its disposal to shape public policy – and building relationships with lawmakers is the most important aspect of grassroots advocacy. The meeting with Rep. Schutt was just the latest endeavor in WiHPCA’s objective to connect members with their local legislators. WiHPCA encourages all members to participate in this critical grassroots advocacy program. If you or your organization is interested in hosting a state lawmaker, please contact the WiHPCA office at wihpca@badgerbay.co.