ASCs provide the highest quality of care at a lower cost than other health care providers. Yet many legislators and policymakers are unaware of the countless benefits that ASCs provide to their communities. Hosting a legislator or policymaker gives you the opportunity to tell your story and show firsthand the benefits that your ASC provides.
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It all starts with a simple invitation. It does not have to be complicated, simply: Dear Legislator, please visit our ASC. If you’re looking for a place to start, click here for a template of an invite letter to send to your Member of Congress or the Administration.
The hard part is done. You have gotten them to agree to come. Usually there will be some back and forth as to the exact day and time and what staff will be with the legislator. You just have to decide who will lead the tour and what you want to show them. Will they observe a surgery or will you just have them conduct a walkthrough? Show them what you do on a daily basis. An easy way is to go through the process a patient would go through from start to finish. Remember, the more you show them the whole story of patient care the more likely they will be supportive.
Talk to them about why you like working at an ASC, why your patients like coming to your ASC and the quality of care your ASC provides. Follow that up with the challenges your center faces and the impact it has on the community.
We have several issue briefs for you to read and hand out during your tour as well as a talking point sheet for you to reference.
This is the most important part. Now that you have the legislator’s attention, you have to follow up so that they remember. Legislators have thousands of meetings every year. Make yours stand out by following up with a thank you letter that reminds him of the issues you discussed and invites them to reach out to you as a resource on issues. Then let us know you had the visit. We can follow up with the legislator’s DC office and answer any further questions they may have.
Having a legislator tour your facility is an extremely impactful way to make a difference and start a dialogue between you and the legislator about ASCs and the health care industry.
Click here to download a template of an invite letter to send to your Member of Congress or the Administration.
If you have hosted a tour or would like assistance preparing for one, contact Morgan Hanson, Assistant Director, Government Affairs.