Why Client Advocacy Matters

Submitted By Rick Hynick, Director, Government Affairs, Client and Family Advocacy

At BAYADA, we often see that many of the government reimbursement rates for programs such as Medicaid are low and have not been increased in long periods of time.  The difficult effect this has on our revenue then carries over on our ability to offer pay rates that are attractive to nurses and aides seeking employment.  They sometimes accept other offers because of this, making recruitment a challenge and also making open shifts more prevalent.

There are ways that we can work together to combat this challenge.  Our service offices have wonderful relationships with our clients and family members. It is these people who we provide services to who have the best understanding of what it is like to live minute-by-minute with complex medical needs.  Government Affairs and service office staff working together have the best opportunity get the voices and real-life experiences of our clients out to our legislators who can make a difference.

Our legislators have the responsibility to represent the people who live in their districts and also to control the reimbursement and regulatory matters of most of our government funded programs. Our goal is to show the true needs that exist by getting voices of the clients to them so when it is time to vote or make a decision about an important topic such as reimbursement, they will do so with the best information possible at hand. -Over time, this will lead to higher reimbursement rates and better living wages for our staff allowing us to better align with The BAYADA Way and help more people.

A BAYADA client advocates for better HHA wages with legislators and families looking on.

The daughter of a BAYADA client and a BAYADA nurse at an advocacy event.