Advocacy Handbook How-to Guide Legislative Action Political Action OHA Advocacy Handbook Table of Contents Section I – Grassroots Involvement OHA’s Advocacy Efforts Legislative Process VoterVoice 2014 OHA Council on Policy and Legislation Effective Grassroots Involvement Making Phone Calls Making Effective Phone Calls Letter Writing Tips Writing Effective Letters Forms of Address for Federal, State & Local Government Officials Letter Writing Campaigns Effective Letter Writing Campaigns Meeting With Elected Officials Setting Up Effective Meetings with Elected Officials Media Relations Tips Effective Media Relations Section II – Oklahoma’s Elected Officials Oklahoma Senate Description of the Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore‐ Senator Brian Bingman Members of the Oklahoma Senate Key Oklahoma Senate Health Care Committees and Subcommittees Oklahoma House of Representatives Description of the Oklahoma House of Representatives House Speaker‐Representative Jeff Hickman Members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives Key OK House of Representatives Health Care Committees and Subcommittees Hospitals By Oklahoma Districts Alphabetized List of Hospitals & Their State Senator & Representative Congressional Delegation Oklahoma’s Congressional Delegation Biographical Sketch‐ U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe Biographical Sketch‐ U.S. Senator Tom Coburn Biographical Sketch‐ U.S. Representative Jim Bridenstine Biographical Sketch‐ U.S. Representative MarkWayne Mullin Biographical Sketch‐ U.S. Representative Frank Lucas Biographical Sketch‐ U.S. Representative Tom Cole Biographical Sketch‐ U.S. Representative James Lankford Key Congressional Health Care Committees Hospitals by Congressional Districts U.S. House of Representatives’ Districts Legislative Calendars 2014 Legislative Deadlines‐ 2nd Regular Session‐ 54th Legislature 2014 U.S. Senate/House Calendar Glossary of Terms Glossary of Legislative Terms Miscellaneous Information How a Bill Becomes Law Important Telephone Numbers Helpful Legislative Web Sites Section III – OHA‐PAC OHA‐PAC Campaign Cover Letter to Mail with Materials OHA‐PAC Brochure and Pledge Card 2014OHA‐PAC Board Members Solicitation Guidelines A Guide to Effective OHA‐PAC Solicitation Launching Your Campaign Suggested Steps for Launching an Effective OHA‐PAC Campaign OHA‐PAC Supply Request Form OHA‐PAC Contributor Check‐Off Sheet OHA‐PAC Hospital Coordinator Designation Card Frequently Asked Questions Supporting an Effective OHA‐PAC‐ “Frequently Asked Questions” Sample Letters Sample Letter to Department Heads From CEO Sample Letter to Hospital Trustees From CEO Sample Letter to Hospital Volunteers From CEO January 1, 2015 Dear OHA Member Executive: As we begin this new calendar year, it is also time to kick off our association’s annual OHA‐PAC fundraising drive. As you know, this particular way of participating in the political process is not just a necessary activity; it is also a good business decision for our member hospitals. It remains a key and practical way to express our thanks and assistance to those legislators who have stepped forth and actively supported issues and bills of vital interest to Oklahoma hospitals. Our OHA‐PAC must be in a strong financial position to make meaningful contributions, especially in an election year. OHA‐PAC is already heavily involved in plans to support legislators who cast their votes to reauthorize SHOPP, the hospital provider fee, and several other important issues (such as lawsuit reform) during the 2013 legislative session. Let us not forget that since the initial enactment of SHOPP in July 2011, Oklahoma hospitals have received a net benefit of more than $485 million through December 2013. As the 2014 elections approach incumbents seeking re‐election are assertively fundraising now because of changes to Oklahoma’s laws that moved political party primary elections to June 24, less than a month after the end of the 2014 state legislative session. OHA‐PAC and AHA‐PAC must be actively making significant contributions well before the June primary election to give incumbents the ability to prepare an effective campaign. Primary elections, in which candidates from the same party face off, can be where we lose thoughtful lawmakers supportive of our causes. OHA’s campaign to accept federal funds to cover the uninsured, perhaps through Insure Oklahoma, is making a difference toward changing the conversation around the goal of getting support from the governor and the Legislature. Certainly, this is a long hill to climb. However, public opinion polling is showing important progress in our favor. Currently 54% of all likely Oklahoma voters favor accepting federal funds, a positive movement of five points! Along with our partners, OHA is seeing increasing support among lawmakers for accepting federal funds. We cannot afford to lose those lawmakers in the 2014 elections. If groups like ours don’t provide early, significant financial support for these lawmakers who face challenges, they have no reason to stand up for us! Your active support of OHA‐PAC is vital to our efforts! If every eligible hospital met their OHA‐PAC goal, we would have almost $192,000 available to contribute to candidates this year. In 2013, OHA‐PAC received almost $60,000 in contributions. We are thankful for those who have made the personal commitment, but we cannot rely upon only 44 hospitals and 237 hospital employees who participated in OHA‐PAC in 2013 to carry the load for an industry that employs more than 67,000 statewide. We urge you to make a commitment in 2014 to make sure your hospital meets or exceeds its own goal. The goal levels are below: Under 25 beds ..................................................................... $500 26‐50 beds ........................................................................... $750 51‐100 beds ...................................................................... $1,500 101‐200 beds .................................................................... $2,500 201‐400 beds .................................................................... $4,000 Over 400 beds .................................................................. $6,000 Please make OHA‐PAC a priority in the upcoming year. Hospital CEOs with successful campaigns all agree that it starts with “the ask.” Don’t forget to ask your management team and medical staffs to join OHA‐PAC. If you need assistance with talking points or presentations by staff on this topic, don’t hesitate to ask us. We are counting on you to complete the advocacy equation. For more information, please feel free to contact Lynne White, Director of Government Relations and Political Action at [email protected], or Melanie Morriss, Legislative Assistant, at [email protected]. Sincerely, Craig W. Jones James Berry President, OHA President, OHA‐PAC Grassroots Involvement OHA Legislative Process Prior to and during each legislative session, OHA’s Council on Policy and Legislation meets with OHA staff to help determine the Association’s position ‐ for, against, or monitor ‐ on a particular legislative issue. The Council’s recommendations are then forwarded to the OHA board of trustees for review and approval. In those rare instances when contentious issues arise and a consensus by the OHA membership cannot be reached regarding the position OHA should take on an issue, OHA staff will “represent” each side of the issue rather than advocating a particular position, for or against. Throughout the legislative session, OHA will provide legislative updates via HOTLINE, and calls to action via VoterVoice when your quick response and involvement is needed. OHA maintains copies of all bills, so you may contact us at any time to request a copy of those bills you are interested in reviewing. Also, bills may be viewed online at www.oklegislature.gov. During session, OHA staff tracks legislation daily via a computerized legislative reporting system. OHA has a daily presence at the State Capitol during the legislative session. Serving as your voice at the state Capitol and in other local legislative arenas is one of the most important roles the Oklahoma Hospital Association plays for its members. And, we extend that role on national legislative and regulatory fronts through our active partnership with the American Hospital Association in Washington, D.C. AHA’s advocacy staff has built a solid reputation on Capitol Hill and has a good working relationship with members of Congress. Our ongoing partnership with the AHA, coupled with the grassroots support from our members, enables us to be an effective player in the political arena. If you have questions regarding your local, state, or federal involvement in the political process, please contact Craig Jones, Lynne White, Sandra Harrison, Melanie Morriss or any OHA staff member. VoterVoice This year, OHA will provide members with opportunities to effortlessly communicate with elected officials as their voting constituents, through an internet‐based program for grassroots advocacy. “VoterVoice” is a program that allows OHA staff to quickly and easily organize grassroots lobbying campaigns for all members, or select groups within our member database. BENEFITS Immediate 10‐fold increase in member participation in grassroots activities. With real‐time activity reports you will know who contacted whom, enabling you and your board to measure the success of your grassroots campaigns. Significantly decrease the time needed to launch and manage multiple grassroots campaigns— from hours to just minutes. 35% cost reduction