In April, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the minimum staffing mandate for skilled nursing facilities. From the start, we engaged our members from across the country to raise our voice and the visibility of the impact of this ruling with the administration and other key policy makers including:
- Conducting targeted stakeholder meetings, secured based on the breadth and impact of our network in the senior services space and existing advocacy relationships, including with:
- CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure and her staff, to ensure our members concerns were heard specific to the proposed rule.
- Key senators and their staff who lead or serve on committees with oversight of Medicaid issues to share our on-going concerns including Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP); and Senate Finance Committee, House Energy and Commerce, House Ways and Means, among others.
- The White House Domestic Policy Council, which advises the President on domestic policy issues. And
- the Office of Management and Budget during final rulemaking to share our concerns.
- Activating our network in a letter-writing campaigns to Congress and CMS with over 200 messages sent to key policymakers from across the country.
- Submitting comments on the proposed rule to ensure the challenges associated with implementation were clearly articulated.
Our collective advocacy had an impact in shaping the final rule—with longer phase-in periods in rural and underserved communities, and hardship exemptions. At the same time, these small wins are wholly insufficient given the inadequacy of Medicaid reimbursement rates and the ongoing crisis in the direct care workforce. This rule will accelerate nursing home closures in underserved and rural communities and make it harder to provide quality access to care for older adults across the country.
Read Our Strategy to Build on our Work Opposing This Rule
United, we will continue to take action together as one of the largest faith-based provider networks; we have the reach, we have the expertise and we have the responsibility.
Sarah Dobson is Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at Lutheran Services in America.
With 41 participants from our member organizations as well as additional stakeholders and partners, the two-day session was a testament to our collective commitment to drive change. Guided by the Person Role System approach from the Results Count framework, we are not just dreaming of change, we are actively shaping it. By zooming in on our roles as change agents, we are reshaping systems and moving towards a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
One of the highlights of the convening was our data walk, where we reviewed the work of each organization, shared insights, and engaged in table conversations. This reflective exercise allowed us to celebrate past achievements and identify areas for growth, all while centering equity and justice in our discussions.
Throughout the convening, we prioritized the cultivation of genuine connections. We know that only together do we as advocates, allies, and change agents have the power to create caring communities that advance health and opportunity for children, youth, and families across the country. We invite you to join us as we continue to be innovative in our pursuit of equity and justice in child welfare.
