Make Your Voice Heard!

Lobby Day 2021 Breaks Records

 

As you prepare for your virtual congressional visits, use the information below to help craft your requests and shape your stories.

On April 21, LeadingAge coordinated a record-breaking virtual Lobby Day. Over 400 members participated in 302 virtual meetings with congressional offices and their staff. Members were able to meet personally with 60 U.S. Representatives and Senators to make the case for Congress to invest in providing a better infrastructure for aging services in our country. Now that these meetings have occurred, the important work of follow-up is needed with members across the country. The pandemic has shone a bright light on the aging services sector and now is our time to be fierce advocates who ensure that Congress and the administration invest all their can to help support our programs and services now and into the future.

About Lobby Day 2021

Every year, LeadingAge connects members with their lawmakers on Capitol Hill to advocate for policies that remove barriers to care, provide more affordable senior housing, develop new services, improve reimbursement, and make America a better place for older adults. This year, as aging services providers begin the process of rebuilding in a post-crisis world, it’s more critical than ever to make our voices heard.

The most important part of your virtual meeting is telling YOUR story. Your elected officials in Congress want to hear from constituents from back home and provide support to your community. During your virtual meeting with your congressional offices, focus on telling your story and what is needed as you provide care and services during the pandemic and beyond.

Below you will find specific talking points on our key legislative issues by the services you provide. These talking points have specific asks that we request you make of your congressional offices. You do not need to be an expert in these issues, rather add these talking points to your constituent story as we advocate for the resources we need.

Overarching talking points for all provider types:

Custom talking points by provider type:

Handouts for congressional offices as resources for staff:

Resources to help plan your day:

Share your Lobby Day Experience!

After your Congressional meetings, we encourage you to share your experience on social media and thank your legislators for supporting aging services. You can include a photo of yourself in the virtual meeting or our “I am an advocate” social card. Below are a couple of post templates:

  • A big thank you to [look up your representative’s handle or put their name here] and their staff for meeting with [YOUR ORG’S NAME] today. We look forward to working with you on the issues that matter most to older adults and those who care for them. #LeadingAgeVoice
  • As aging services providers begin the process of rebuilding in a post-crisis world, it’s more critical than ever to make our voices heard. Today, [YOUR ORG’S NAME] met with Congress and advocated for policies that could improve care and services for older Americans. #LeadingAgeVoice

Please contact Joe Franco if you have any questions.

About Lobby Day

Are your senators and representatives aware of your organization’s critical work? Do they understand the challenges you face or policies that could improve care and services for older Americans? They should! That’s why we’re inviting you to join LeadingAge’s Lobby Day on April 21, 2021.

Every year, LeadingAge connects members with their lawmakers on Capitol Hill to advocate for policies that remove barriers to care, provide more affordable senior housing, develop new services, improve reimbursement, and make America a better place for older adults. This year, as aging services providers begin the process of rebuilding in a post-crisis world, it’s more critical than ever to make our voices heard.

On April 14, be sure to attend LeadingAge’s prep meeting, where we’ll share what to expect on Lobby Day and help you plan your remarks, ensuring you get the very most out of your time with your elected leaders. From April 15-20, join individual states as they hold strategy meetings to prepare and position members for success.