Recently, the Louisiana Ambulance Alliance (LAA) team began visiting legislators in North Louisiana in preparation for the 2019 sessions at the Baton Rouge Capitol. LAA Policy Director – Curry Landry alongside LAA Lobbyist – Mike Thibadeaux and LAA Communications and Marketing Specialist – Verinique Bailey, met with various legislators and EMS providers in North Louisiana.
The first of the visits were to State Representative Dodie Horton, State Representative Larry Bagley and State Representative Frank Hoffmann. LAA staff was joined by LAA EMS providers from Bossier Parish EMS, Desoto Parish EMS, and Acadian Ambulance Service to bring some familiarity to the legislators.
“LAA acts a conduit for information between the providers and the legislators,” explained Landry. “While working with legislators, LAA informs them about the issues facing the ambulance industry and why certain changes to laws are necessary or not. Our presence at the capitol in Baton Rouge and throughout the state, makes exchanging information and answering the legislators’ questions efficient and easy. Our members really help enhance this relationship by having great relationships with their legislators.”
“It’s so important to visit Legislators after and before session to get them acquainted with LAA and the EMS providers,” added Thibadeaux. “We want them to know we can visit, accompanied by EMS providers in their district, and not ask for anything, but rather form relationships. We want them to know who we are, not just when we have an ask of them and they appreciate us for that.”
“It is important to be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to legislative sessions,” added Landry, “which allows LAA to meet with legislators in an environment with less urgency and pressure.”
For that reason, LAA plans to continue meeting and building relationships with legislators throughout the state of Louisiana in the coming weeks to advocate for the EMS industry through pre-session meetings, legislative events and during session.
About the Louisiana Ambulance Alliance
The Louisiana Ambulance Alliance (LAA) is a diverse group of EMS providers who promote emergency medical transport as a distinct concern in Louisiana; serve as a forum for a unified voice for healthcare providers, public officials, healthcare workers, educators and consumers working to improve emergency medical transport in Louisiana; provide a forum for the exchange and distribution of ideas and information related to the improvement of emergency medical transport; serve as an advocate for emergency medical transport, promoting improved health status and improvements to the health system for residents of Louisiana; and encourage the development of appropriate health resources for Louisiana.
To learn more about LAA, visit www.LouisianaAmbulanceAlliance.org. For up-to-date information, news and updates, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.