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 so all communities can thrive.
TAKE ACTION WITH US
Share your opinions with Congress through our action alerts.
KEY ACTION ALERT: Urge your lawmakers to oppose cuts and caps to Medicaid. Congress is planning to make deep cuts to Medicaid, SNAP and other domestic programs. Join us in urging Congress to protect Medicaid, which is critical in providing care for the most vulnerable Americans.
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, 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 improved 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
SNF Minimum Staffing Rule Struck Down:
In April 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule to create 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.
On April 7, 2025, a federal judge ruled that CMS exceeded their authority and that their regulatory action was not consistent with Congress’s legislation governing nursing homes. Lutheran Services in America will continue to ask Congress to permanently block the staffing mandate through legislation, given that 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.
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.
