by Laura Brennan, Senior Policy Manager for NHCHC
From phone calls to in-person action, people across the country are mobilizing against attacks on our communities. The Senate is getting 1,600 calls a MINUTE (rather than the usual 40) because people are FIRED UP about plans to cut Medicaid, slash the federal budget, and imperil the safety net. There were so many calls that the phone system simply couldn’t handle it.
During the last Congressional recess, elected officials either held town halls where they heard from outraged citizens or declined to hold town halls due to the fear of backlash. In response, Hill offices have been “overwhelmed and underwater” by the criticism but importantly some are now reconsidering their stances and others have been encouraged to speak up about these threats.
Your calls are working—and we need to keep the momentum going. The Senate just released a revised budget resolution (this one is an agreement between the previous House and Senate versions) which includes $880 billion in cuts to the Energy and Commerce committee primarily targeting Medicaid. Lawmakers deny that this means cuts to Medicaid but, as we’ve warned, we know that these proposals limit eligibility and are a cut to Medicaid. It’s crucial that the House and Senate hear from us before they vote!
If you are not practiced at calling your Member of Congress, it might seem intimidating. But SO MANY PEOPLE ARE DOING IT RIGHT NOW and there is power in numbers. We have to keep up the pressure as they make decisions that literally endanger our lives.
Three important actions for this month
- Share your Medicaid Story! Help us clarify the link between Medicaid and homelessness for policymakers. Tell us how Medicaid impacts you, your program, and your community. It only takes 3-5 minutes to share a few sentences, and it will have a big impact on our advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. Share your story here!
- Call your member of Congress TODAY and tell them NO cuts to Medicaid Need tips on how to schedule an in-person meeting or talking points? Check out last month’s Closer Look blog.
- TODAY: Protect Medicaid Day of Action — Join advocates across the country as we call in to Congress and tell them to reject any cuts to Medicaid. Use this action alert to get connected with your lawmakers and share your Medicaid story.
- Request an in-person site visit or meeting during their Spring Recess period (April 14-25). Members will be back at home during the two-week break—this is a great time to request a program visit and meet with them in person! In person meetings are the gold standard for engaging your policymakers—so they can see first-hand the work you do and talk directly to your staff and clients.
- Turn out this Saturday: Join advocates at hundreds of in-person rallies as part of a nationwide Hands Off! National Day of Action. Find your local event and join all the cool kids as we mobilize against the attacks on our communities. We have to make it clear how recent actions to decimate the federal government and slash the budget are what make our communities healthy and strong.
A few extra tips for your call
- YOU are the expert! You’re advocating for yourself and your community. You don’t need to be an expert on the policy details, just focus on the outcome you want for your community.
- Make it personal. Use your Medicaid story from action #1 to highlight why Medicaid is important to you and what it would mean if you lost it.
- Keep it brief. You’re calling to make your opinion heard. The staffer will ask for your name and zip code but won’t ask follow up questions or details about specific policy (that’s their job!). Once they have your info, they’ll thank you for calling and pass your message along. And that’s it, you’re done!
- Starting is the hardest part. Many of us get nervous about phone calls. Rest assured; the hardest part is waiting while the phone rings. Once you’re speaking, it takes two seconds and you’ll be proud you did it.
- Once you get the hang of it — make it a regular habit!
