19th Annual Student Research Conference
Human Potential and Performance
Legislative Advocacy: Testifying and Lobbying for Missouri Senate Bill 457
Emily M. Krogmann* and Maureen M. Bylina
Dr. Carol Cox, Faculty Mentor
There is a critical shortage of volunteer Long-term Care Ombudsmen (advocates for residents in long term care facilities) in the state of Missouri. The nursing homes that do have them have been prone to ‘firing’ the existing ombudsmen because the patient advocates do their job too well. Thus, a bill (MO Senate Bill 457) was created, and members of Eta Sigma Gamma lobbied legislators and testified at the Missouri Senate Committee on Aging, Families, and Mental and Public Health on behalf of the bill. They traveled to the state capitol and told legislators about how they are volunteer ombudsmen and how important the Bill is to long-term care residents as it prohibits facilities with ombudsmen from firing them or be subject to sanctions. They also testified before the Missouri State Senate on behalf of the bill. The bill was subsequently passed out of Committee by a 6-0 vote!
Keywords: ombudsmen, testifying, lobbying, MO State Senate, MO Senate Committee, nursing homes, MO Senate Bill, advocate
Topic(s):Health Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 60-45
Location: OP Lobby and Atrium
Time: 4:15