Legislative Advocacy Day - May 18, 2010

Published: 2010-04-26

Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists

SAVE THE DATE

Please plan now to attend – and share with all of your friends – SLPs, Auds, PTs and OTs!

The purpose of our visit:

• Introduce yourself to your local Representatives and Senators
• Increase legislative awareness of SLPs / Auds  and patients as constituents
• Request legislative support of services and funding for services in spite of difficult budget year
• Remind legislative body that the services provided now empower patients to become taxpayers!

What can you do to prepare?

• Email or call your Representatives/Senators to let them know that you’ll be there in Raleigh on May 18^th and ask for 5 minutes of their time to introduce yourself. 
• Visit www.ncleg.net to identify and contact your Representatives and Senators.
• Plan to have 3 minutes of their time – your introduction and ‘message’ need to be brief and meaningful.
• Prepare a brief bulleted document that reminds your legislator who you are, what you do and how this is positive for NC’s citizens and budget – you will leave this with your Representative or their Legislative Assistant – so be sure to include the information that your business card would offer. 

 DETAILS:

• Plan to meet on the front steps of the Legislative Office Building at 9:00 a.m. on May 18^th  where we will gather, give additional instruction and enter the LOB together. 

• Plan to wear black so that we are identifiable as a group – and a classy one at that!
• Wear your Speech & Audiology ADVOCATE button – or they will be available for purchase on May 18^th from 8:45-9:00 a.m. on the front steps of the Legislative Office Building.
• Copy and Paste this link into your browser for driving and parking directions:  www.ncleg.net/NCGAInfo/visitinglegcomplex.html

Please RSVP so that we can plan accordingly:  info@ncshla.org

The NCPTA and NCOTA have been invited as well.

Thank you --- and please understand that this advocacy effort is incredibly important as outpatient specialized therapy services for adult Medicaid recipients are virtually eliminated in the current proposed budget and there is every indication that there will be another provider rate reduction.  Protection of the service and funding for the service are worthy causes and advocating in person is meaningful in ways that a letter, call or email can never achieve.  See you on May 18^th!

Believe!

Jeri Bates, Member

Professional Affairs Committee

North Carolina Speech Hearing and Language Association

 jeribates@speechcenter.net