HIMSS Advocacy Tool Kit for
Congressional Visits
2010 is the year of healthcare reform. Members of Congress and their staff want to understand the impacts of healthcare reform and its effect on their constituents. Who better to educate your Members of Congress and their staff than you? The purpose of this HIMSS Advocacy Tool Kit is to provide you, our HIMSS member, with up to date information and leave behind materials in order to be prepared for a meeting with your Member of Congress or legislative staff. These materials will help give guidance on how to conduct a visit, keys for success as well as pertinent information to enhance the content of your visit.
Getting Started: We are excited that you have chosen to become active and schedule a meeting with your elected officials! To begin, you will need to:
- Research who are your Members of Congress. Visit our Award-Winning HIMSS Legislative Action Center http://www.himss.org/advocacy/actioncenter.asp and simply enter in your zip code to view your elected officials and their contact information. You will also need to decide if you want to meet him/her or staff in the district office or in Washington, D.C. Contact information for the Capitol Hill office and all district offices will be listed on the Legislative Action Center.
- Email HIMSS and let us know when you have scheduled a meeting with your Member of Congress at advocacy@himss.org
Now What?: Now that you have a meeting scheduled and have let HIMSS know, visit the HIMSS Advocacy Toolkit and download supporting documents to help enhance the productivity of your meeting! HIMSS will continue to add valuable and timely content to the HIMSS Advocacy Tool Kit that will enhance the quality of your meeting. Check back frequently to see if there are any additional materials you should include. GOOD LUCK!
What is HIMSS? Fact Sheet- In case your Member of Congress or staff may not be familiar with HIMSS, this fact sheet will give them an introduction to the organization and the many activities that HIMSS hosts.
HIMSS Principles of Government Initiatives- Each year, HIMSS creates principles for all stakeholders to consider for inclusion as provisions in any legislation proposed by the U.S. Congress or state legislatures to transform healthcare or for inclusion in federal and state regulations.
HIMSS Updated Recommendations for Health IT and Healthcare Reform (11/2/09)
HIMSS State Chapter Meeting- Customize this sheet with your contact information! This outlines the type of resources you can offer your legislator to help them in the decision making process
Your Business Card- Never forget to include contact information so that your decision maker can follow up with you if they need help from their local subject matter expert!
“Meaningful Use” definitions- HIMSS published its definitions of ‘meaningful use of certified EHR technologies,’ as outlined in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
HIMSS definition of Meaningful Use of Technologies in Hospitals
HIMSS definition of Meaningful Users of EHR Technology
Davies Awards Program- Check to see if you have a Davies Award Winner in your State! The HIMSS Nicholas E. Davies Award of Excellence has recognized excellence in the implementation and value from health information technology, specifically EHRs. There are currently four award categories: Public Health, Organizational, Ambulatory, and Community Health Organizations.
