As we start week two of Congress’ spring recess, I am hoping that AGS members will consider lending their voices to our efforts to increase Congressional awareness of and support for the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Programs (GWEPs).
The 44 GWEPs are training health professionals, direct care workers, and family caregivers in 29 states with the goal of improving the health and quality of life of older adults.
In addition, these programs are important sources of support for geriatrics clinician-educators in nursing, medicine, and a host of other health professions.
Among our GWEP-related concerns for AGS members in the President’s "skinny budget" is that it wipes out the majority of the health professionals portfolio (including the GWEPs) at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Here’s what you can do this week to convey to your members of Congress why these programs are important.
The
National Association for Geriatric Education (NAGE) has put together some simple talking points for GWEP directors which we have modified for AGS members’ use:
- First, you can identify your elected officials and access their phone number by using the “Find Your Elected Officials” widget on the right hand side of our Health in Aging Advocacy Center here.
- Once on the phone, tell your elected official and/or staff member where you live, and your affiliations (employer/university).
- Explain that your primary purpose is to let the Senator / Representative / staff person know about the work of the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program and its value to older adults and the field.
- Explain that the GWEPs are the only federal programs that increase the number of healthcare professionals and faculty with geriatrics expertise, as well as your concern about proposed funding cuts in the budget for GWEPs.
- Ask for support for an increase in funding in FY 2018. Specifically, ask that your Senator(s) or Representative support the Eldercare Workforce Alliance (EWA) request of $51 million for the GWEP. Increased funding could launch new GWEP centers targeted to underserved and rural communities, and could provide additional funding to support health professionals who wish to pursue academic careers in geriatrics or gerontology.
If you want to take greater action, EWA has a wonderful toolkit that will help you to set up a home office visit with your Congressional representatives. You can find AGS’s written testimony to the House of Representatives here—and there is nothing stopping you from modifying the testimony to submit to the Senate (due on June 2; click here for instructions) as an individual. Our testimony parallels EWA’s testimony, which was developed in collaboration with the 31 members of the alliance.
Twitter Action
EWA’s Jessica Nagro and NAGE’s Brian Lindberg have been collaborating on obtaining signatures on a “Dear Colleague” letter, and their hard work paid off with an increase in the number of House members lending their support to the GWEPs this year. Our most ardent supporters for these programs in the House are Represntatives Jan Shakowsky and Doris Matsui, and a thank you to them for leading the “Dear Colleague” letter effort is in order. Our suggested tweet:
Thanks @janschakowsky @DorisMatsui 4 supporting #geriatrics workforce we all need as we age http://bit.ly/2pjmKNv
In the coming weeks, look for more advocacy requests from us in our Health in Aging Advocacy Center and more information on this blog. It is important that we stand together to fight for the programs that are important to the health and well-being of older Americans.