Advocacy with KABC 101: Your Guide to Making an Impact

Libby Hastings • February 10, 2025

The Kansas legislative session is in full swing, making it the perfect time to engage with your lawmakers and advocate for policies that improve long-term care in our state. Whether you're a seasoned advocate or just getting started, knowing how to effectively communicate with legislators is key to making a difference.


We believe that every voice matters, and lawmakers want to hear from the people they represent. To find your legislator, visit the Kansas legislative website. When you visit www.kslegislature.org, there is an option on the left side of the website to “Find Your Legislator”. You may search by name, chamber, party, or select “Seach by Your Address”. This will lead you to Plural, a platform to find bill information and your local legislators by typing in your home address.


Tips for Effective Advocacy


Be Friendly – Legislators are people too! Approach them with sincerity and honesty. While time may be limited, be sure to focus on the issue you're there to champion.


Be Prepared – This is your chance to educate. Start with a clear, concise explanation of the issue, and provide only factual information.


Be Respectful – Not everyone will agree with your position. Some lawmakers may have concerns about costs, feasibility, or other factors. Treat them with respect, as they may be allies on future issues.


Be Direct – Answer questions openly and honestly. Share the full picture, including both the challenges and the solutions.


Ask for a Specific Action – Make it clear what you want your legislator to do. Common advocacy actions include:

  • Sponsoring a bill
  • Urging committee leadership to take action on a bill
  • Speaking for or against a bill during debate
  • Holding a public event to raise awareness
  • Writing a letter to state agencies about oversight and implementation of a law


Establish a Relationship – Don't just reach out when you need something. Contact your legislators regularly, thank them when they support your issues, and stay engaged. Building a relationship increases the likelihood they will listen when you advocate for change.


Say Thanks – Gratitude goes a long way! Always follow up with a thank-you note or email after a meeting, even if the legislator disagrees with your position.


Advocacy is about persistence, education, and relationship-building. By using these strategies, you can help ensure that long-term care remains a priority for Kansas lawmakers.


Want to learn more? Check out KABC’s full Advocacy 101 guide here. 

Advocacy in Action (April 2025): Legislative Recap

April 2, 2025
As we move further into 2025, we want to share an update on our legislative advocacy efforts this session. KABC remains committed to championing policies that protect and support older adults and individuals in long-term care. Here’s a look at key legislative developments and where things stand:
A woman is being pushed in a wheelchair.

Opinion Piece from Dave Ranney, KABC Board Member

By Dave Ranney • April 1, 2025
Opinion piece from Dave Ranney, current KABC Board Member and retired newspaper reporter: In a recent Kansas News Service story on Sen. Roger Marshall’s appearance at a town hall meeting in Oakley, Kansas, (pop. 1,982), a board member with the local nursing home said he’d hoped to hear about issues “…affecting nursing homes right now. Rural hospitals are hurting but all people wanted to do was scream at the senator.” The board member’s concerns are valid and deeply troubling. Cuts in Medicaid spending will be devastating. Medicaid is the backbone of long-term care in Kansas; 57 percent of the state’s nursing home residents rely on Medicaid for their care. These are frail elders whose estates have been depleted. They have no money. Medicaid reimbursement rates are, at best, break-even. They’re not ‘profit centers.’ Even a small reduction in rates will push many rural facilities to the brink of closure. Quality of care, too, is sure to suffer. Medicare, unfortunately, does not cover nursing home care. Rural families will be left with no choice but to move their loved ones far from home to receive the care they need and deserve. Already, eight of the state’s 105 counites are without a nursing home; at least 40 have only one. National surveys have found that a fourth of the nursing homes in Kansas are providing sub-standard care, usually due to inadequate staffing. Recruiting and retaining nurses and healthcare staff in small towns is critical. The board member would do well to consider what’ll happen when DOGE figures out that Medicaid is paying for care that often falls short of federal standard. Lawmakers on both the state and national levels have a responsibility to ensure stable Medicaid funding to keep existing facilities open while, at the same time, investing in community-based services that offer lower-cost, in-home care options that allow people to remain in their communities. Sincerely, Dave Ranney Dave Ranney is a retired newspaper reporter, he lives in Lawrence, Kansas.