Updates with Bliss: Decode the Care: Medicare vs. Medicaid

How to Advocate for Home Care with Your Local and Federal Legislators

Want to level up your advocacy game but feel intimidated by the political scene? We've all been there—but it's time to learn just how easy these meetings can be and what you should expect before heading in. Mike is back on the mic today to bust the ultimate myth: the idea that your elected officials are too booked up to listen to what you have to say. In reality, state and federal officials often enjoy connecting with their constituents because they need to know what matters most to the voters in their districts. You are the true expert in the room, and your unique experiences hold the power to drive real, lasting change.   In This Episode, You'll Learn: - Why you are the true experts in the room. - How to easily track down your specific representatives using a simple online search tool. - The crucial differences between state advocacy (Medicaid reimbursed home care) and federal advocacy (Home Health and Hospice). - The absolute best methods to reach out and schedule a quick 15 to 20-minute meeting with an elected official.   Resource Links: - Request a meeting with your local lawmakers: heartsforhomecare.quorum.us/campaign/request-visit/ [https://heartsforhomecare.quorum.us/campaign/request-visit/] - Submit your personal video story if you can't make a face-to-face meeting: heartsforhomecare.com/share-story [https://www.heartsforhomecare.com/share-story] - Use the "Find Your Lawmaker" tool: heartsforhomecare.quorum.us/officials/ [https://heartsforhomecare.quorum.us/officials/] - Reach out for extra support and advocacy strategy by emailing advocacy@heartsforhomecare.com.

At the Table or On the Menu?

In this episode, host Michael Sokoloski sits down with Maggie DiPasquale, the Area Director of Government Affairs for Hearts for Home Care and Bayada Home Health Care. Maggie breaks down the complex, sometimes frustrating world of Medicare policy and explains why home care providers are facing an uphill battle against continuous reimbursement cuts.   In This Episode, You'll Learn: - The Policy vs. Access Gap: How viewing healthcare cuts through a "spending lens" instead of an "access lens" hurts real patients. - The Compounding Effect: Why year-over-year payment reductions create massive challenges for recruiting and retaining a fragile workforce. - The Power of the Human Story: Why home visits are the ultimate advocacy tool to change lawmakers' minds. - How to Take Action: The simplest way for new advocates to share their stories and secure their seat at the policy table. * Share Your Story: Hearts for Home Care Website [http://heartsforhomecare.com] * Learn More: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPac) [https://www.medpac.gov]     produced by slanted.design [https://www.slanted.design/]

Updates with Bliss: Decode the Care: Medicare vs. Medicaid

Happy May advocates! Advocacy season is officially in full swing, and host Bliss Brown returns for a quick classroom session. In this episode, we are clearing up the ultimate healthcare confusion once and for all: what is the actual difference between Medicare and Medicaid, and how does it impact the future of home care? In This Episode, You'll Learn The Alphabet Soup of Care: A simple breakdown of Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D—and which one you'll hear about most in home health. The Long-Term Lifeline: How Medicaid acts as the primary payer for long-term, home-based services across America. The Power of Both: What it means to be "dual-eligible" and how these two massive programs work together for patients. Why It Matters Right Now: How federal funding decisions directly impact state budgets and the home care services your family and community may rely on.

Moving from Awareness to Influence: The "Mental Switch" Every Advocate Needs

We sit down with Laura Brigandi, senior manager of advocacy practice for the Public Affairs Council, to pull back the curtain on what actually moves the needle with decision-makers. We discuss the importance of personalization in messaging and building relationships that are beneficial, not transactional. Laura delivers the blueprint for influence that sticks. If you’re ready to stop just "raising awareness" and start driving real policy change, this conversation is your new secret weapon🔥 In This Episode, You’ll Learn 💡 * Why credibility, relevance, and human consequence are the non-negotiables for any successful campaign. * How to move past generic "action alerts" and use your authentic story to cut through the noise of AI-generated messages. * Why "knowing an issue exists" isn't enough—and how to target the right people to actually change a decision. * How resource-constrained organizations can build a powerhouse advocacy practice without a massive staff or budget. * The critical importance of the "follow-up" and why advocacy is a relationship discipline, not a one-time event. Resource Links 🔗 * Guest Info: Connect with Laura Brigandi at the Public Affairs Council [https://pac.org/contact/laura_brigandi]. * Event Alert: Don't miss the upcoming Public Affairs Council Advocacy Conference [https://pac.org/events]. * Become an advocate at H4HC [https://www.heartsforhomecare.com/]   produced by slanted.design [https://www.slanted.design/]

New Jersey's Home Care Heroes: The Assemblywomen Leading the Charge

Get ready to feel inspired! In this episode, we’re joined by the ultimate power duo from the New Jersey State Legislature: Assemblywoman Carol Murphy and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn. Despite being on different sides of the aisle, these two are proof that passion for the home care community transcends politics. They dive deep into the formation of New Jersey's first-of-its-kind Bipartisan Home Care Caucus and share heart-to-heart stories about how visiting families in their homes changed their entire legislative perspective. It’s a masterclass in advocacy, empathy, and getting things done for the "Silver Tsunami" heading our way.   Are you a home care advocate in the tristate area? Learn more about our New Jersey Home Care Rally happening in May and RSVP today! https://heartsforhomecare.quorum.us/event/33183/ [https://heartsforhomecare.quorum.us/event/33183/] In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The Power of Proximity: Why seeing home care in action is 100x more impactful than reading a budget report. Small Wins, Big Impact: The "behind the scenes" saga of the Parking Plaque Bill and why persistent advocacy matters for home health aides. The Workforce Crisis: A candid look at why raising the minimum wage isn't a "one-size-fits-all" fix for the dedicated DSPs and LPNs in the field. Cutting the Red Tape: What the new administration can do to simplify the permitting and hospitalization transfer process for families. The Future of Advocacy: How to be your own "Nudger in Chief" and effectively reach out to your local representatives.   Loved this episode? Don't let the conversation stop here! Subscribe to our channel, leave a review on your favorite podcast platform, and head over to our website to see how you can join our grassroots advocacy efforts today! Let’s keep nudging for change together!       produced by slanted.design [https://www.slanted.design/]