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This week, we are joined by Laurie Chiumento, director of federal relations and healthcare policy at UR Medicine, the health system for the University of Rochester in New York. Laurie is an expert on how health systems and hospitals can advocate and promote their legislative priorities to members of Congress. She shares advice to hospitals that are preparing to speak with their elected officials about 340B issues or are considering doing so. She also discusses advocacy days in D.C., opportunities to host elected officials for visits to your hospital, and the 2022 midterm elections. Before the interview, we provide an update on the 340B community pharmacy dispute court cases. 

Work with the Government Relations Team 

Government relations teams advocate to federal, state, and local elected officials. Laurie explains how her team builds relationships with members of Congress on 340B and other issues of importance to her health system. She also emphasizes the important advocacy role 340B professionals have when partnering with their hospital’s government relations team. 

Participate in 340B Health Hill Days 

Laurie shares how participating in 340B Health Hill Days are crucial for effective advocacy and describes how to engage in these events. The relationships hospitals build during these events enable hospitals to have ongoing communications with their elected leaders. For example, one of her biggest success stories stems from the regular communication she has with the congressional staff working for her members of Congress. 

Host Your Members of Congress at Your Hospital 

One important advocacy strategy is to host members of Congress at your hospital. Laurie provides an overview of the process to hosting a lawmaker and why these visits are beneficial for advocacy.  

Prepare for Midterm Elections

This November elections will take place for the entire U.S. House of Representatives and a third of the U.S. Senate. It is likely that there will be many new leaders elected to Congress. Laurie discusses the importance of preparing to educate these new members about 340B. She also explains the role of political action committees (PACs) in advocacy. 

Check out all of our episodes on the 340B Insight podcast website. You also can stay updated on all 340B Health news and information by visiting our homepage. If you have any questions you’d like us to cover in this podcast, email us at [email protected].

Resources 

1. 340B Community Pharmacy Legal Battle Moves to Next Stage
2. 340B Coalition Summer Conference 2022 
3. 340B Health Advocacy Toolkit