Take Action

This session of congress, MNHPC is supporting and working on three bills:

H.R.647 Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA)

Read an overview of this bill from Hospice Action Network.

H.R.2594 Rural Access to Hospice Act of 2019

Read an overview of this bill from Hospice Action Network.

S.1921 - Provider Training in Palliative Care Act

We believe these bills all contribute to our mission of ensuring everyone has the help they need to live and die according to their wishes. If these bills speak to you and your mission as they do to us, contacting your representative is a great way to make your voice heard. Below are some resources to help with that.

Letter Writing

Writing a letter to congress is not as daunting as it seems. Here are a few resources to get you started, including a downloadable sample letter. The most important thing is to write what you know. You are an expert on this material! Backing up stories with facts also goes a long way to increasing the impact of your message.

Steps to writing a professional and effective letter to congress:

1. Find your representative’s mailing address. Always address them as “The Honorable ___”.

2. State your credentials and what your purpose is.

3. Thank them for the job they are doing and any work they may have done for hospice and palliative care already.

4. Make sure your letter is personal. You have an important and unique story to share. Your representatives want to hear it.

5. Support your stance. Use accurate information. If you have numbers or figures available, these are great to include.

6. Make your request. Indicate the specific action you would like the representative to take. (This may include bills you want them to sponsor, causes you want them to fund, education campaigns you want them to create, etc.).

Other tips:

• Handwritten letters receive more attention than emailed materials. The extra time to send a physical letter is worth it if the matter is not urgent.

• The letter should be direct and to the point. It can be short—one page is plenty.

• You can ask a question, for example what the policymaker’s position on an issue is or how they plan to vote on a certain bill.

• Remain courteous and professional even in times of frustration.

Meeting with a Congress person or Legislator:

Another way to communicate the importance of advocacy around hospice and palliative care is to schedule a meeting with the member or their staff at their local office or at your facility. Most congress people have a link to set up a meeting on their website, or a phone number you can call to set one up. It may require a few communications back and forth to find dates that work for everyone.

Approaching a meeting is similar to writing a letter. You begin by introducing yourself, explaining your mission/purpose, and then delving into facts and stories that support the need for policy around hospice and palliative care. A meeting will also help build a potentially long lasting relationship with federal or state representatives and senators, and is a great opportunity for them to learn about the important work we all do. Hearing about needs in the community is part of their job and something most of them love to do. Share your important and impactful stories with your representatives—schedule a meeting today!