ADVOCACY COMMITTEE
August 17, 2005

The meeting was called to order at 3:10 p.m. on Wednesday, August 17, 2005.

MINUTES:

Ms. Haugstad called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m.  The minutes from the July 13 meeting were moved for approval by Ms. Caithamer and seconded by Ms. Dittrich.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

PACT Grant

Kathleen told the committee that GLHF has applied for a PACT grant through Baxter pharmeucitcals.  They are awarding four proposals up to $25,000 for each proposal.  The proposal GLHF submitted focuses on developing a prospective model to use to monitor and respond to public policy issues involving consumers access to essential products and services.

Committee Objectives and Goals

Ms. Haugstad distributed copies of the goals and objectives that were discussed at the last meeting and then summarized at a later meeting with herself, Ms. Roach and Mr. Linney. 

The overall objective:  Provide Public Policy Advocacy on behalf of the bleeding disorder community. 

Committee Objectives:

1)      Influence Public Policy 2) Establish efficient processes to address targeted issues 3) Leverage existing expertise 4) Investigate target issues that most closely align to committee needs. 

  The three goals of the committee over the next two years are:

1)      Implement a best practices model (process) for committee to utilize when addressing public policy issues on behalf of the bleeding disorder community.

2)      By July 2006, complete research on a minimum of five (5) avenues to influence public policy for the bleeding disorder community in areas of: legislation, public policy, insurance and patient and consumer rights.

3)      3) Provide the bleeding disorder community with detailed information on a minimum of 3-5 issues in 2006/2007.

Ms. Haugstad asked the committee for comments on the three goals.  Ms. Lathrop stated that the issues not only should be state level but also at a local level.  Ms. Haugstad asked for approval of the goals.  Ms. Dittrich moved for approval and Ms. Kralovetz seconded.   The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

Action Items

Ms. Haugstad suggested the committee brainstorm ideas for the first goal-Implement a best practice model for the committee to use when addressing public policy issues on behalf of the bleeding disorder community.

1. Identify problems/concerns
2. Research problem identified (gather data, statistics, facts vs. myths)
3. Analyze data (yes, report on it, mechanism based on topic.  No-still report on it)
4. Action plan—decide what to do, recommendation, specific goals/objectives
5. Implementation
6. Measure Success-address the who, what , when, where, why and how

GLHF remains unbiased in our response.

Ms. Haugstad requested that several committee members independently develop a list of “sources” that we have to learn about various issues, for example, phone calls, surveys, treatment centers, media, industry. Mr. Linney, Ms. Lathrop, Ms. Caithamer and Ms. Kralovetz agreed to on their own develop and bring their lists to the next meeting.

Ms. Roach agreed to contact chapters to see if they have a “model” in place for public policy.  Mr. Linney suggested contacting New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Georgia.  These chapters are engaged in public policy.

The next advocacy committee meeting is Wednesday, September 28 from 11:00-1:00 p.m.. at the BloocCenter of Wisconsin, 638 N. 18^th St. in the Human Resource Room, first floor.