Trauma Government Relations and Grassroots Advocacy Justin M. Rosen Congressional Lobbyist American College of Surgeons

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1 Trauma Government Relations and Grassroots Advocacy Justin M. Rosen Congressional Lobbyist American College of Surgeons

2 How Did I Get Here? Involved with politics and political campaigns at age 14 Volunteer Calls Doors Stuffing envelopes Work history EMT Political campaigns Connecticut General Assembly Legislative Aide Committee Clerk Policy Aide to the Speaker of the House American College of Surgeons State Affairs Federal Affairs

3 How Did I Get Here?

4 Current Political Layout Makeup of Congress House: 232 Republicans 192 Democrats Senate: 51 Republicans 49 Democrats Midterm elections Party in power loses seats Left to do in 2018 Budget FY 2018 and FY 2019 Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) Opioids Infrastructure?

5 Current Political Layout

6 Current Political Layout What does this mean for health care? Failure to repeal ACA cleared the path for small bipartisan health care bills Election year politics provide an incentive to do something Trauma focus on the federal level Trauma systems/centers funding Implementation of the 2016 NAM report National trauma system Military-civilian partnerships Research funding Liability legislation

7 State Government Most states dedicate even year sessions to developing budgets Limited opportunity to move non-budget legislation Doesn t mean they won t try to sneak language into budget bills Trauma focus on the state level Injury prevention Trauma system funding Closely tied with injury prevention (seat belt fines) Trauma center legislation Liability legislation

8 Federal State vs. Federal Slower moving More time to influence decisions Can play offense and defense State Proposing policy vs fighting bad policy Fast pace Mostly defense Shorter sessions More personal connections Likely to know your State Legislators from work in the community

9 The Best Advocates People who live trauma everyday Stories/anecdotes Life in the trenches How will proposed policies impact your life Survivors HIPAA compliant Legislators are mostly reactive Stories from large scale traumatic events

10 Advocacy Grassroots vs. Grasstops Both are important Fine balance between being informative and being annoying Action alerts When to use/what to say Do they matter? What happens after you send? Concise message with clear request Phone calls For urgent messages Use infrequently

11 Advocacy Grasstops Identify key grasstops relationships within your organization Be strategic Can be used for information gathering or advocacy

12 Advocacy

13 Coalition Advocacy Trauma coalition Over 20 groups informally partnered on the betterment of trauma care and providing for the injured patient Strength in numbers Advocacy events Letters Meetings Disagreements How to resolve and move forward

14 Twitter and Facebook Social Media Engage with Members of Congress/State Legislators Thank them for support over shaming for opposition Ask for support Energize base of supports to take action

15 Social Media Twitter and Facebook Find other advocates Personal vs professional Pictures and selfies! Know your audiance Remember: everything is public and never truly deleted and don t post alternative facts

16 Briefings and Events Host a Congressional briefing Lecture style Interactive Stop the Bleed Benefits to both Food Don t underestimate the power of a free lunch

17 Briefings and Events Trauma center tours Invite local/state/federal elected officials Show them the path of a trauma patient from intake to discharge

18 Briefings and Events Stop the Bleed Community events or at the trauma center

19 Briefings and Events In-district events Fundraisers*, meet and greets, town halls, or coffee meetings More personal Can have a state/local component *be sure to follow elections laws/regulations Resources Always come prepared Reach out to your organization for materials Don t reinvent the wheel

20 State Lobby Days Briefings and Events Work with state-level affiliates ACS provides matching grant funds DC-based assistance planning/implementing event 2018 record number of grants

21 Briefings and Events National Stop the Bleed Day March 31 st Raise awareness State proclamations Congressional recognition

22 Legislative Meetings Again, come prepared Reach out for materials Know the positions of your organization Personal vs professional advocacy Don t underestimate staff Yes, they are young Ultimately make decisions Always follow-up Stay in contact Keep the relationship fresh Never know where a staffer will land

23 Elections Every vote matters Every legislator matters Never know where legislators will end up Value of seniority Newer members need to be educated on issues of importance Great opportunity for health care advocates to make a lasting impression

24 Legislation Federal Mission Zero Act Trauma research Liability legislation Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act National trauma system 2016 NAM report State Injury Prevention Helmet, seatbelt, interlock devices, etc. Trauma system funding Fees/fines or budget allocation Trauma center caps Florida

25 Federal Legislation Mission Zero Act (H.R. 880/S. 1022) Provide $40 million in grant funding through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to facilitate partnerships between military trauma care teams/providers and high-volume civilian trauma facilities. Allow military trauma care teams/providers to gain exposure treating critically injured patients and increase readiness for when these units are deployed. Status: Passed the House of Representatives in February Awaiting action in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Advocacy plan Identify grant-eligible facilities and their corresponding Congressional District Grassroots in the House Grasstops in the Senate Key Senators and key Committee staffers Trauma coalition fly-ins

26 Federal Legislation Trauma Research ACS worked with Senate Appropriations Committee to include report language in the fiscal year 2018 Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) Appropriations bill. Report language to stress the importance of trauma research. Language should encourage the National Institutes of Health to establish a trauma research agenda to minimize death, disability, and injuring by ensuring that patient-specific trauma care is based on scientifically validated findings. Report language provides guidance to administration and departments on committee priorities. Advocacy plan Work with Congressional staff on an as-needed basis A broad advocacy plan is not needed for this type of effort

27 Federal Legislation Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act Would provide liability protections to medical professionals who volunteer in a federally declared disaster. Greatly decrease loss of life and improve outcomes for patients who desperately need care. Addresses liability which the Volunteer Protection Act does not. Status: Passed unanimously out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in February Awaiting action in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee. Advocacy Plan Grassroots Meetings with key Members of Congress Partner on the state-level utilizing UEVHPA Personal stories Katrina

28 Federal Legislation Opioids Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) 2.0 Hearings in House Energy and Commerce Committee February and March 2018 Several opioid-related bills» CME» Disposal» PDMP Draft legislation in Senate Finance Committee Three day prescribing limit Treatment and recovery programs/funding PDMP mandate and development Interoperable with states Increase in criminal penalties Advocacy Letters and statements

29 Federal Legislation Omnibus Funding expired at midnight today Full budget Opioid funding Fix NICS Act/STOP School Violence Act Trauma research report language

30 State Legislation Trauma system funding Seatbelts Motorcycle helmets Distracted driving Uniform Volunteer Emergency Health Practitioner Act (UVEHPA) Bleeding control kits Stop the Bleed resolutions Opioids

31 State Advocacy State Chapters Grassroots action alerts Testifying and submitting testimony Direct phone calls

32 Questions?