Lobbying
for
Quality Patient Care
Presented by:
New York State Nurses Association
Practice and Governmental Affairs Program
Lobbying for
Quality Patient Care
Learning Objectives: At the completion of this
presentation, the nurse will be able to:
1. Define politics, power and lobbying.
2. Participate in basic lobbying activities to advocate for
quality patient care.
3. Describe NYSNA’s structure and organizational units
for implementing The Legislative Program.
Politics - Power - Lobbying

Politics:
◦ Involves power, influence, and authority in interpersonal and
intergroup relationships within a defined jurisdiction or
territory (Archer & Goehner, 1982)
◦ The allocation of scarce resources (Kalish & Kalish, 1982)

Power: A means to achieve your ends.
Political power: The ability to translate any type of
power into votes by constituents or actions by a
policymaker
Money: financial
resources
 People: mobilization of
constituents
 Mission: commitment to
the issue

Will: focus, perseverance &
patience
 Informational:
substantiates your position
 Media: coverage at all
levels.

Excerpted from The Non-Profit’s Guide to New York State Policy Makers,
published by The Council of Community Services of New York State, Inc.
Politics - Power - Lobbying


Lobbying: Activities designed to influence the
decisions made by individuals in positions of
authority.
Basic lobbying activities:
 Written communication using letters or emails
 Lobbying visits to the legislator in his or her district office
 Attendance at NYSNA Lobby Days at the capitol
 Participation in legislative receptions.
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Idea for bill is
presented to a
potential sponsor
Bill is drafted and
assigned a bill number
Bill is debated and voted on
by 2nd house. If passed, it is
sent to the Governor.
Bill is reviewed by
committee(s)
Bill is debated and voted
on by one house. If
passed it is sent to the
other house
Bill is reviewed by
committee(s) in
second house
Bill is signed into law
Bill is reviewed by Governor
or
Veto is overriden by 2/3 majority in
both houses - bill becomes law
or
Bill is vetoed and
dies
Lobbying:
Getting Your Message Across

Effective communication is key
 Letter writing
 Electronic mail
 Lobbying visits
Lobbying:
Getting Your Message Across
 Timing is important too
 When the bill is introduced
 When the bill is assigned to committee
 When the bill is coming to the “floor”
 After the vote
Effective Communications:
Letter Writing
• One subject per letter
• Specify your support or opposition to the bill and refer to
the issue by bill number.
• State your position courteously, concisely and back it up
with specific statistics or situations.
• State your request for action clearly.
• If you are a constituent of the legislator, say so.
• Sign your name with RN.
• Send copies of your letter to key legislators and
NYSNA
Addresses

Governor

State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224


Honorable _________
U.S. Senator
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
NYS Senate
Honorable ______
NYS Senate
Albany, NY 12247
NYS Assembly
Honorable ______
NYS Assembly
Albany, NY 12248
US Senate

US House of Representatives
Honorable _________
Member of Congress
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
S
A
M
P
L
E
Jane Doe Nurse, RN
123 Anywhere St.
Yourcity, NY 11111
Date
Hon. ________________
State Senator
Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
RE: Support for Bill # S.______.
Dear Senator __________________:
As a registered nurse living and practicing in your district, I am concerned
about the health and safety of the patients I serve.
I am calling upon you to support S._____, introduced by Senator
_________, which would promote appropriate health care for the citizens
of New York State. The Legislature must ensure that etc., etc.
Please sign on as a co-sponsor of this legislation and support it when it is
voted upon in your committee. I look forward to hearing from you and
learning more about any actions you take to ensure this bill is passed.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe Nurse, RN
Effective Communications:
Emails
• Use the bill number in the “subject” heading of your
message.
• Include your “snail mail” address as well as your email
address.
• Sign your full name with RN.
• Forward your email to NYSNA at legislative@nysna.org
• Keep a copy of the email for yourself.
• Email addresses: last name@senate.state.ny.us or last
name@assembly.state.ny.us
S
A
M
P
L
E
Effective Communications:
Legislator Visits
Know your issue.
 Know your legislator.
 Invite interested colleagues.
 Call in advance for an appointment.
 Arrive on time.
 Keep the meeting brief
 Ask for the action you want

Ask for What You Want
To sponsor or cosponsor a bill
To late sponsor a bill
To support (or oppose)
the bill in committee
To speak about the bill in
party conference
To talk to the Majority
Leader or Speaker
To speak to the media in
favor of a bill
To vote for (or against)
the bill
After the Lobbying Visit
Write a follow up letter
 Complete an NYSNA Legislator Visit
Assessment Tool
 Monitor for the action you requested.
 Politely hold the legislator accountable to
the promises made.

Lobbying Tools From NYSNA
 Lobbying
Packets
◦ Memoranda on specific bills
◦ Talking points
 Action Alerts
 Leg
Line: 1-800-724-INFO
 Web Site: www.nysna.org
The NYSNA Legislative Program

Consumer Advocacy and
Health Promotion

Environment in Which
Nursing is Practiced

Educational System for
Nursing

Government
Accountability for Health
Care Policy and Assuring
Quality of Care
NYSNA Council on Legislation




Nine members appointed by the NYSNA Board of
Directors
Nurses with expertise in legislative and political
affairs
Develops the Legislative Program for
recommendation to the Board and the Voting Body
Determines degree of support or opposition for a
given piece of legislation
The Legislative District
Coordinator (LDC) Network
Over 100 registered
nurses who are contacts
for members of the NYS
Legislature
 The LDC is a resource
for the legislator
concerning health care
and nursing

Assist NYSNA-PAC in
the endorsement of both
incumbent and challenger
candidates
 For more information
about participating,
contact the NYSNA
Practice & Governmental
Affairs Program

NYSNA Political Action Committee (The
PAC)
Established in July of 1992.
 Leadership is vested in an eleven member
board of trustees.
 Supports candidates for state office who will
help advance our legislative goals.
 Funded by RN contributions.
 Brings our strong, unified voice to the halls of
power and decision-making.

What Else Can I Do to Get Involved?
NYSNA Legislative Workshop and
Reception
 NYSNA Albany Lobby Day
 NYSNA Local Lobby Day
 Organize a “Keep Pace with a
Nurse” legislator activity
 Contribute to the NYSNA-PAC

YOU Can Advance Nursing’s Agenda!
Be informed
Get involved
Stay involved
Involve others
Vote
Some useful websites
http://www.ncsbn.org/ National Council of
State Boards of Nursing
 http://www.nursingworld.org/ American Nurses
Association
 http://www.kaisernetwork.org/ Henry J. Kaiser
Family Foundation – health policy website
