By Susan Plough, MSN, RN, PHCNS-BC, CCM
With election day behind us, it's time to brush up on our grassroots advocacy skills and get ready to meet our new lawmakers. Grassroots advocacy is one of the most powerful forces driving all aspects of change whether it be social, political, or economic. It is about ordinary people coming together to raise their voices, influence decision-makers, and enact positive local and national changes.
When we think about advocacy, national or global movements often come to mind. However, some of the most meaningful and impactful change happens at the state level, where policies are shaped closer to home, and grassroots advocacy can significantly influence. State governments control a wide range of issues such as education, healthcare, criminal justice, environmental regulations, etc. All of which directly affect the lives of residents. This makes state-level grassroots advocacy a critical avenue for individuals and communities seeking to drive change in their own backyard.
Why Focus on the State Level?
State governments play an integral role in crafting policies that affect every aspect of daily life. While federal laws set the overarching framework, states have the autonomy to tailor legislation to address local needs and conditions. This includes regulating healthcare, education, and wages. In many cases, state policies can be more progressive or more conservative than federal mandates, depending on the political climate of that state.
Grassroots advocacy at the state level is particularly effective for several reasons. First off, state legislators are often more accessible than federal lawmakers. They represent smaller constituencies, making it easier for advocates to connect with them directly and influence their decisions. State legislators usually come to the people in the form of Town Hall meetings, Coffee with your Legislator, etc. Also, many connect via email and newsletters on a regular basis to keep their constituents informed of what is happening in their state and on the national level. Compared to federal legislation, state laws can often be passed more quickly. This means that grassroots movements at the state level can see results in a shorter period, making advocacy efforts feel more immediate and rewarding.
How can you get involved in Grassroots Advocacy?
Engaging in grassroots advocacy does not require a professional political background; anyone with passion and commitment can contribute. Here are a few steps to get started:
1. Identify Your Cause: Find an issue that resonates with you and that aligns with your values or lived experiences. It can be something you see impacting your patients, their families, or the case management workforce daily, or you can focus on something you are passionate about in your personal life away from work.
2. Connect with Others: Chances are your circle of fellow case managers or other members of the healthcare team shares your concerns and goals for improving it. Collaboration is key in grassroots movements, and the more people involved, the stronger your advocacy will be.
3. Engage Your Community: Attend town hall meetings or coffee with your legislators to keep up to date on what is happening on the hill and to get their viewpoints on the legislation. Talk to case managers across your state to inform them of what is happening. Ask them to share stories that can be shared with your legislators. These stories resonate with legislators long after you have said goodbye. Stories are valuable because they help paint a picture of what our patients and families experience every day and how legislation can impact outcomes. Without this input, lawmakers will only have the perspective of those who do not walk in our shoes or the patients' shoes.
4. Take the big step! Reach out to your legislators and set up meetings with them. Finding them in their local offices is often more accessible for both of you. If meetings do not appeal to you, stay connected via phone or email. A simple email or voicemail to express your support of or against a particular piece of legislation can be significant to a legislator who may not be familiar with healthcare, specifically case management. Know what your ask is. Find out where the piece of legislation you want to support is in the process. Has it gone to the committee? If so, which committee? Did your legislators support the bill? If so, do not forget to say thank you.
Make the phone call or send the email. If you are still not comfortable, find a friend to accompany you. Chances are, if you share your passion with other case managers, they will be willing to join you on your personal Hill Day.
Advocacy is essential for driving social change, amplifying marginalized voices, and challenging systems of inequality. Whether through policy reform, public awareness campaigns, or direct action, advocacy empowers individuals and communities to influence decisions that affect their lives. By standing together and speaking out, advocates can make lasting impacts on issues that matter, ensuring that justice, equity, and opportunity are accessible to all. The power of advocacy lies in raising awareness and transforming that awareness into action for a more just and inclusive society. Effective case management and grassroots advocacy are powerful tools for creating meaningful change, especially within underserved communities. Case management provides the structure and individualized support when it is needed to navigate complex systems, while grassroots advocacy amplifies the voices of those often marginalized. Together, they ensure that both immediate needs and systemic barriers are addressed, empowering individuals, and strengthening communities. By integrating these approaches, advocates can build lasting networks of support and drive policy changes that reflect the lived experiences of those they serve.
How can you get involved? Click here to learn about CMSA's Public Policy and Advocacy priorities: https://cmsa.org/advocacy/
Bio: Susan Plough, MSN, RN, PHCNS-BC, CCM has a diverse background in both Nursing and in Case Management. She has served as Executive Director of Medical Management with Physician Hospital Organizations as well as Director of Hospital Case Management for both large multi- hospital healthcare systems and smaller Case Management departments in the Midwest. She is a Board-Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist in Community Health as well as a Certified Case Manager. Currently she is on the Faculty of Indiana University School of Nursing and does private geriatric case management for Senior1Care. Susan is Chairman of the National Public Policy Committee for CMSA and is a Board Member and Past President of the Central Indiana Chapter of CMSA. She is a Parish Nurse and Vice President of the Indiana Center of Parish Nursing. She has published nationally and has presented both locally and nationally on case management topics.