Published by: Amanda Walsh on 8/20/2012 10:47:33 AM
$0If you are following the presidential race, it has gotten dirty. In the Washington D.C. metro area we are bombarded by attack ads one right after the other. If you are like me, you must be tired of both parties taking spinning quotes and sound clips out of context. The back and forth, the insults, the jabs…. and I like politics!$0
$0No wonder so many Americans choose not to vote. How can anyone be for anything when both parties are desperately telling voters that our country as we know it will be ruined?$0
$0 One issue that shouldn’t be partisan are threats to safety net hospitals. Every state has them in one capacity or another. A safety net hospital’s mission is non-partisan and does a significant amount of good. It seems that every type of insult can easily fit on a bumper sticker, but how can we convey the great work that NAPH members do on a daily basis?$0
$0 While the discourse is so negative, please remind your candidates that they can be for something—and that something is you. Safety net providers across the country are bracing for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare (whatever you care to call it) and with that come a lot of changes that can either benefit or harm our country’s safety net.$0
$0This is your opportunity amidst the fighting to create champions on safety net issues, and no one can make the case better than you.$0
$0Reach out to the campaign today. Sit down and talk about your hospital. Bring in doctors, nurses, patients, anyone who best illustrates the work you do. Candidates and incumbents across the country are in a tough election climate, and they are willing to listen. Even if you’ve met with them before, it never hurts to give them an update. Keep that open line of communication before they head to Washington, and Election Day will be here before you know it.$0
$0If you need a refresher on outreach, check out the Election Toolkit in the Advocacy Section.$0