Public Policy & Advocacy
Public Policy & Advocacy
The collective power of our $26 billion faith-based voice on Capitol Hill plays a crucial role in advancing policies that improve lives. Together, we ensure that our voices are heard for millions of people experiencing need.
Our public policy and advocacy work creates a multiplier effect, enabling our network members to work together to build Congressional and administration support for policies and funding that improve the health and well-being of people, combat systemic racism and address inequities—so all communities can thrive.
TAKE ACTION WITH US
Share your opinions with Congress through our action alerts.
KEY ACTION ALERT: Urge your Members of Congress to co-sponsor the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act (S. 3211 / H.R. 6205). We advocate policy changes that support the expansion of a sustainable workforce. This act includes reforms to enable healthcare professionals trained abroad to work in the United States, strengthening the pipeline of healthcare providers.
Legislative Priorities
We leverage the strength of 300 health and human services organizations through advocacy on public policy issues critical to children, older adults, families, people with disabilities, veterans, refugees and others experiencing need in the United States.
Our current legislative priorities are:
- Strengthen the nonprofit health and human services sector
- Expand the Direct Care Workforce
- Achieve equitable health and well-being outcomes for all people in America
View the bills we support in service of our legislative priorities.
Rural Aging Policy Priorities
Championing older adults and caregivers by advocating for policies and funding that meet their unique needs aging in rural communities.
Key Issues
Minimum Staffing Requirements: On April 22, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final rule that creates new minimum staffing requirements for skilled nursing facilities, including a requirement for 3.48 hours per resident day (HPRD) of total direct nursing care to residents and a requirement to have an RN onsite 24/7, with no funding for implementation. The uniform adoption of such unfunded minimum staffing requirements will result in reduced access to long-term care for older adults in rural and underserved communities as providers continue to struggle to fill staffing vacancies.
On behalf of our network, we will continue to engage with the Administration as they have expressed their intent to provide additional support for providers related to workforce recruitment, retention, and training. We will strenuously pursue all financial and programmatic remedies to alleviate the burden associated with this rule. Additionally, we will continue to strengthen our broader workforce advocacy strategy including pursuing Congressional champions to address these issues.
Learn more about our efforts to address this issue:
Identify Your Congressional Lawmakers
MEMBER MAP & STATE FACT SHEETS
We developed an interactive national member organization map along with fact sheets for every state, which our members and partners can leverage to illustrate the strength of our network.
Advocacy Correspondence
We send letters to government officials and Members of Congress highlighting support for our concerns about actions and legislation, as well as submit comments on rules and regulations proposed by federal agencies and the impact they would have on our network member organizations and the people for whom they care.
Get timely updates on what’s going on with Lutheran Services in America and our nationwide network of member organizations.
