Advocacy Opportunities
Learn more how you can get involved in your community and advocate for issues you are passionate about.“We drive the change that we want to see in our community.
We are the spark that lifts people and ideas off the ground.
We are the catalyst for change.”
Your Voice Matters in Advocacy
One of our key roles is to keep you informed about policy decisions that impact your life and to educate legislators who often don’t know the challenges you face. But we need your voice to help tell the story. You don’t need to be an expert—you’re the expert on your own life. Share how meals, transportation, in-home care, and medications help you stay well and independent. Legislators need to hear it from you!
Your Voice Matters Now More Than Ever
Congress is preparing to make critical decisions that could significantly impact programs like Medicaid, which many in our community rely on for meals, transportation, in-home care, and vital medications. Policymakers need to hear directly from you—the people whose lives are affected.
Share your story and help legislators understand why these programs are essential to staying healthy and independent. Below, you’ll find tools and resources to stay informed and empowered to speak up. Together, we can make a difference.
- Presentation on what grassroots organizations have heard when they talked with their U.S. Senator and Congressional Rep offices last week
- Summary of potential Medicaid cuts
- Medicaid in WI Factsheet
- Wisconsin Medicaid programs
- Wisconsin Medicaid programs by County
- What Medicaid cuts could mean for Wisconsin
- Tool: Medicaid Storytelling Sheet
Wisconsin Senior Advocates (WSA) Need You!
Wisconsin Senior Advocates (WSA) is a coalition of older adults that wish to have input on policies and procedures affecting the older adult population in the state.
Activities and Goals:
- Member of the Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network (WAAN). Participate in WAAN activities including Aging Advocacy Day at the capital.
- Keeps informed of issues at the local, state, and federal levels.
- Advocates on issues at all levels that impact the senior community – providing information to elected officials including phone calls, office visits, budget testimony, and more.
- Works with older adults on how to advocate for themselves and their needs.
Contacts:
Esther Olson – olson3207@gmail.com
Stephanie Sue Stein – ssstein@gmail.com
Dain Maddox – dainmaddox@gmail.com
Jim Schmidlkofer – aged_cheddar@yahoo.com
This information is provided for educational purposes and to empower you with information. As advocates, being educated on proposed legislation is critical.
URGENT: Action Needed!
Advocacy Opportunity
Congress is considering $2.17 trillion in federal Medicaid spending cuts. National advocates expect cuts will be in a budget reconciliation bill, and that Congress could begin the first steps as early as next week.
The latest we are hearing from national advocates who are meeting with members of Congress:
- Congress is not hearing much about Medicaid from constituents. It is important that they do.
- House members do not understand who uses Medicaid and how they use it
- Congress is unaware these groups use Medicaid: older adults with dementia; children; veterans; family caregiving stories; people with disabilities.
- Members want know who in their districts (YOU) are impacted and how cuts would financially impact communities
- This bill move through Congress fast. A first vote in the House could come in early February. Memorial Day is when a final bill is likely to be signed.
- NOW is the time to educate your legislative leaders!
Action steps you can take today:
Make three phone calls to your Federal Legislators.
You have three Federal legislators who will make decisions about cuts to Federal Medicaid spending.
- Two U.S. Senators:
- Sen. Tammy Baldwin (202) 224-5653 or Visit her website
- Sen. Ron Johnson (202) 224-5323 or Visit his website
- One Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives (Look up your U.S. Representative)
Federal lawmakers need to know how Medicaid helps you and your family, and what it would mean to your life if the services and supports you have are reduced or stopped.
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