August 4, 2026
Long Day’s Journey: Political Advocacy Matters
By Joanne Kaldy
It’s not necessary to be perfect, politically savvy, or an engaging conversationalist to be a strong advocate for post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) patients and professionals. Instead, it takes a desire to make a difference and a passion for quality care. It’s a long journey with many stops and a few bumps, but change is worth the trip.
Positive change and action don’t happen by happenstance or in a vacuum. Advocacy brings attention to key issues and offers guidance, ideas, and direction. “It brings a human face to decisions that are made,” says Victoria Walker, MD, FAAFP, corporate medical director of the Senior Care Division for Avera Health system and medical/clinical officer of senior care at Avel eCARE. “Like all of us, policymakers have many things coming at them at any given time, and they have a finite ability to focus on any of these. Through advocacy, we can help the issues we care about stand out and be recognized.” She adds, “We can share personal stories and additional information about a topic that makes policymakers or their staff look beyond the superficial. I think that's where advocacy makes a difference. It creates the hook that allows our issues to rise to the surface.”
Rob Leffler, RPh, BCGP, FASCP, vice president of clinical services at Synchrony Pharmacy, says, “For me, advocacy is how we translate what we see every day in practice into policy, and that is what helps to improve care for patients in senior care. That is the heart of my practice, making sure patients have access to their medications that they so desperately need, that they can afford the medications, and that they have appropriate clinical oversight required for them to be able to use their medications safely.”
In some ways, advocacy is about facts and data, but it also involves storytelling. “It’s good to bring data and numbers, such as what a program or piece of legislation might cost or save or how many people it will impact. But it’s also important to have stories about what it means to individuals, particularly those who are constituents,” says Dr. Walker.
Getting to know representatives and their staff is key, but it takes time and effort. Much like with medications, it’s best to start low and go slow. If you arrange a meeting or contact the office via email or phone, Dr. Walker suggests, “Don’t start with a big ask. Just introduce yourself, tell them what you do, and offer your help and support as relevant issues arise.” It’s important to keep interactions as positive as possible. For instance, it’s okay to ask for their support on an issue or bill or explain why some action is important, but it’s also valuable to recognize the good work they do and thank them for their efforts.
Opening the Door
Getting started takes some detective work. “Do your homework upfront,” says Timothy Holahan, DO, CMD, associate professor of medicine at the University of Rochester. For instance, before meeting with a congressional representative, learn about what bills they’ve sponsored or passed, issues they’ve demonstrated an interest in, pet projects, and other information. “This is important because it will help you find common ground and make the best use of the limited time you will have with them,” he states. “When you have a baseline of information, you can use this to start the conversation: ‘I see that you’ve supported this issue in the past’ or 'I see that you sit on the Senate Aging Committee.’” Even a bit of personal information can open the door; for example, your kids go to the same school, you’re both hockey fans, or you both have French bulldogs. “Anything that can be a good ice breaker and enable a more congenial interaction is worth exploring,” says Dr. Holahan.
Sometimes, common interests can lead to action. “I met with one of my senators from South Dakota, and he was enthusiastic about the work that we do. It turns out that fall prevention was a special interest of his and that he has a child who is a therapist and works with older adults,” Dr. Walker says. “When you get a connection like that, it’s so gratifying, and it opened the door to discussions about how policy infrastructure that helps us reduce the impact of falls is important.”
Elsewhere, Dr. Holahan notes, “It's always great to cross-check with other organizations and determine if an issue is a priority for other groups – such as the American Medical Association or American Geriatrics Society. This gives you more of a breadth of knowledge and adds weight to the significance of the issue.” However, he stresses the need for consistent messaging; so, if you refer to another group, make sure their message aligns with yours.
Patience: A Necessary Virtue
Advocacy is not one and done. The wheels of policy generally move slowly. It may take multiple interactions and communications to move the needle on issues. Dr. Holahan notes that this requires patience and resilience, but the messages need to stay consistent.
While messaging takes time, so does relationship building. “Many people aren’t in their positions forever, so – over time – you’re likely to have to introduce yourself to new staffers or even new representatives,” says Dr. Holahan. He stresses the importance of working to establish and maintain relationships with policymakers on all levels, including those in your state and community. “The more positive interactions you have, the greater the opportunity to have a voice in and an impact on the issues,” he explains.
Mr. Leffler says, “It is important not to get discouraged. You may have a great visit today, but you’re not going to see a big change tomorrow.” He adds, “You have to stay on top of things. It may take months, even longer, to see results.”
It is also essential not to be disappointed if a meeting doesn’t go as planned. “It’s possible to go in with an issue you’re excited about, and you don’t get much or any positive response; and that’s okay,” said Mr. Leffler. “You can still leave them with concise takeaways and follow up at a later date. It’s possible that you caught them on a busy day, and they were distracted. And if they just aren’t interested in the issue, you can move on and find others who share your enthusiasm.”
Advocacy’s Impact
When advocacy succeeds, it is powerful. In recent years, PALTmed’s efforts have helped ensure that telemedicine services were covered after the pandemic ended. “We provided consistent messaging – including personal stories – about the significant difference telemedicine makes in the lives of many, many patients, especially those in rural areas. We made a convincing case for the need to have telemedicine covered and reimbursed,” says Dr. Holahan.
On the state level, PALTmed and state chapters have led to certification and training requirements for medical directors in Florida, California, and Pennsylvania. “Other states are working on this as well; and we are seeing the positive impact of advocacy efforts to promote the best possible care for nursing home residents everywhere,” Dr. Holahan says.
Going back further, PALTmed and other organizations joined together to advocate for quality in long-term care. Dr. Walker says, “That collective work became the framework for QAPI [Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement] and the transparency that we now have around quality in this care setting.”
Power in Numbers
Fortunately, practitioners don’t have to make the advocacy journey alone. PALTmed, the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), and other organizations have public policy staff and resources to help. Organizational representatives can make visits to legislators and communicate with policymakers, although it can be a bit overwhelming at first. Mr. Leffler recalls, “The first time I went to Capitol Hill, it was daunting. I didn’t know what to expect; but working with an organization like ASCP that had a presence and organizes such events really helped. It turned out to be a wonderful experience, and we were well coached on the issues, so I was able to speak with confidence.” He stresses, “You don’t have to be perfect, and you don’t have to know everything. It’s okay to say, ‘I don’t have that information, but I will get back to you.’ This gives you an opportunity to follow up and keep the conversation going.”
Dr. Holahan says, “It’s very normal to feel a bit intimidated by the prospect of taking on advocacy. Most of us don’t inherently know how to do this, how to talk to legislators or their staff, or even how a bill gets introduced and passed. However, PALTmed has staff, tools, and resources to provide support; and the more you get out there, the more you learn about the issues, the more confident you can be.” He adds, “From my experience, policymakers want to hear from us and welcome our help and insights. It’s okay to feel frustrated sometimes, but it’s important to know that we can and do make a difference; and that’s exciting.”
Advocacy Made Easy
Advocacy doesn’t have to be a heavy lift. There are tools and resources to make it easier and maximize its effectiveness. Here are a few:
- PALTmed Advocacy Summit. Set for October 19-20, 2026, this event will bring health- care professionals and policymakers together to focus on legislative and regulatory issues. Whether you’re new to advocacy or a seasoned pro, this is a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues and decision-makers alike to address key concerns and work toward solutions.
- 2026 Public Policy and Advocacy Priorities. Learn about PALTmed-specific issues, coalition-building issues, and issues to monitor.
- Policy Finder. Get details about PALTmed’s resolutions and views on the top issues facing post-acute and long-term care.
- Policy Snapshot. Stay abreast of key issues impacting PALTmed members and get exclusive insights and analyses.
- PALTmed Action Center. This is a member-only benefit designed to empower practitioners with tools and resources to be effective, engaged advocates.
- ASCP Advocacy Resources. Learn about legislative and regulatory issues affecting senior care pharmacists, and discover how advocacy makes a difference and benefits both patients and practitioners.
Joanne Kaldy is a freelance writer living in New Orleans, LA.