Happy Case Management Week – Day 3
Hope you are having a good week. In this post, I wanted to share the importance of case managers being aware and involved in Public Policy because case managers practice is directly impacted by policies enacted on the local, state and federal level. The Case Management Society of America has a very active public policy committee that case managers can be part of. Here are 4 areas that the CMSA Public Policy Committee focuses on 4 key areas impacting care delivery. They are:
- Mental Health: Expanding access to mental and behavioral health services, improving physical-to-behavioral care integration, and supporting whole-person coordination.
- Maternal and Women’s Healthcare (State Level): Improving navigation, provider coordination, coverage, and follow-up care during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
- Rural Health: Addressing access gaps and resource needs in rural care delivery systems.
- Workforce Development: Supporting training, education, and recognition for care management professionals.
The Organization provides Core Tools & Initiatives for all case managers to take advantage
- Case Management Model Act: Provides legislative and regulatory blueprint language for policymakers on qualifications, scope of services, oversight, and payment.
- Public Policy Special Interest Group (PSIG): Offers quarterly networking and educational sessions on pending legislation and reimbursement policies.
- Advocacy & Grassroots Resources: Features an Advocacy Toolkit with sample scripts, legislator locators, and action alerts.
I cannot urge all case managers to be aware of the legislative issues impacting your community and your patients. Here are some things all of us can do:
- Use your voice to educate members of Congress about how their policies will impact your community and the people you care for.
- Make sure you are registered to VOTE
- Pay attention to your local, state and Federal Members of Congress. Reach out to let them know you are a subject manner expert on health issues and visit them often. They need to hear from people in the trenches.
- Join and be an active participant of the CMSA Public Policy Committee and lend your voice to the Policies CMSA supports. Here is the link to the CMSA Public Policy Page: https://cmsa.org/advocacy/public-policy.
- CMSA has developed several Position Papers and Statements. Here is a link to the page so you can review them as you prepare talking to Legislatives and leaders within your own organizations. https://cmsa.org/position-papers-statements
Have a nice day and thank you for all you do!
