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Advocacy Resources

Advocacy Resources

Our sector’s ability to care for senior and disabled citizens is directly and powerfully affected by the State Legislature. But policymakers aren’t experts in long-term care – so your input is essential. This resource gives you the tools to provide that input in a timely, targeted, and time-efficient way.

2026 Legislative Bill Tracker

Washington’s 2026 supplemental budget: Key Issues to Watch | GTH WA

VIDEO: Grading Gov. Fergusons 2026 Supplemental Budget Proposal

Advocacy Basics

Connect with Your Legislators

Write a letter, send an email, make a phone call, or schedule an in-person or virtual meeting with lawmakers. Include other members of your care teams and spend 15 minutes briefing key policymakers and/or their staff. Email Aidan Swayne at WHCA for information and support.

Use your tour to create a lasting impact. Check out our facility tour toolkit for a follow-up template:

  • Almost 40 facilities hosted tours this interim. This means there is ample opportunity to create lasting connections with the Legislators who came to visit you and your team. Following up with a quick thank you and offer of assistance (can I answer any questions you might have?) builds a lasting relationship and a long-term care ally for when uncertainty strikes.

Here are some helpful tips on communicating with Legislators:

  • Provide a proper introduction including your background and role, and your experience with long-term care issues. Establishing your credentials as a subject matter expert is essential to your work with legislators.
  • Know your numbers! Prepare a facility profile so you can easily provide specific details about your care center. Many people are impacted by your care, and those same people are impacted by legislative decisions and actions. Download the facility profile template.
  • Be polite, be specific and be brief! Your legislators are asked to make decisions about a myriad of issues during the legislative session. Typically, you’ll have 15 minutes to make your case.
  • Follow up is important. When you conclude your legislative meetings, ask if there is additional information you can provide, and then make sure to provide it! Follow up with a thank you note and continue to check in throughout the legislative session.

Promoting Advocacy in Your Community

  • Ask your employees, residents, and their families to send a message at the WHCA Action Center. Be sure to publicize opportunities to advocate in your employee, resident, and family newsletters. The prewritten article below makes it easy.

Washington’s population continues to age rapidly. Quality care will be imperative in communities around the state just like ours. The current electronic advocacy campaign on the WHCA website provides an opportunity to share our concerns around our continued ability to protect long-term care and those we serve.

We are a sector burdened with problems that will take policy solutions. Please join me in advocating for our team and our long-term care provider community.  

We are all in this together!

Social Media

Connect and advocate with your elected officials on social media to make your voice heard above the crowd. Click here to access a social media directory of your legislators.

Stay in the loop by following our social media channels, and tag us in your posts:

Handouts/Posters

Print a supply of the 8.5 x 11 handout and place where they can be picked up by employees, residents, and families. Or use the handout as a poster and display in highly trafficked areas. This PDF flier makes advocacy easy by providing a QR link to WHCA’s advocacy opportunities web page.

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