1. Legislative Advocacy
WCOMO, June 2017

2. legislator engagement
Advocacy is…
grassroots
legislator engagement
strategy
media
coalitions
policy analysis

3. How to Deal with McCleary
Political Context
Long Session
-105 days (regular session)
-We’re in our third special session
How to Deal with McCleary
-Supreme Court ruling
-big price tag
Balancing the Budget
-cuts vs. revenue
-upward trend in revenue forecast
Split Legislature
-Republicans control Senate
-Democrats control House

4. ACA Repeal & Replace House Senate - AHCA passed the House on May 4
- Ends the Medicaid expansion funding
- Changes Medicaid to give states fixed funding per person
- $8 billion over five years to finance high-risk pools
- Allows insurers to charge older customers higher premiums
- Repeals taxes on the wealthy, insurers, drug and medical device makers
Senate
- 13 member committee to design Senate bill
- Senate is more moderate but still Republican controlled
- Will likely call a vote without holding hearings
- Both WA Senators oppose repeal and replace of ACA

5. State Budget Proposal Highlights
Governor (December)
No cuts to safety net
$10M for dental capital grants
Invests in crisis mental health system
Senate (March)
No cuts to health care safety net
Deep cuts to social services
Invests in behavioral health integration
Cuts $3M from the Health Professional Loan Repayment program
Dental managed care
$16M in dental capital
House (March)
Depression screenings for kids and new moms
No cut to Health Professional Loan Repayment program
New revenue
$13.8M in dental capital

6. Highlight on Behavioral Health
SB 5779: Behavioral Health Integration in Primary Care
Review and revise rules to support bidirectional integration
Review payment codes related to behavioral health
Limit restrictions on same day billing and prior authorization
Governor vetoed increasing reimbursement for providers

7. Our Job Protect the health care safety net
Increase workforce and dental capacity
Support behavioral health integration

8. Led by community health centers
Non-profit
Grassroots

9. Grassroots Advocacy in Action How You Make a Difference
Story Gathering
- Puts a face to data and numbers
- Used in multiple venues: media, testimony, rallies, lobbying
Clinic Card Program
- Materials arrived in early December
- Advocacy Celebrations
- Strength in Action
Toll Free Calls
- Nimble
- Add a personal touch
- Are hard to ignore
Actions
- Quick and easy
- Pre-populated with your contact information
- Connect you directly with your legislators
Town Halls & Rallies
- Town Halls are annual
- Face to face interactions with legislators
Hiding this block --
How You Make a Difference

10. Questions

11. Contact Information:
Brenna Cleary