Political Action: Government Affairs

Government Affairs

MSLALA acts as a crucial liaison between its members and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) by facilitating clear and effective communication, ensuring that regulatory updates and requirements are conveyed to its members in a timely and understandable manner. The association identifies areas where clarification or guidance from LDH is needed, such as compliance issues, and proactively seeks to resolve potential discrepancies or misinterpretations in official communications.
MS-LALA supports its membership:

1. Advocacy and Representation: The association advocates on behalf of its members by engaging with LDH officials, ensuring that the perspectives and challenges of senior living providers are considered in regulatory decisions and policy updates.
2. Clarification and Guidance: When members encounter unclear language or potential compliance issues, the association steps in to seek clarification from LDH, as seen in the communications about ensuring clearer guidance regarding facility impact and reporting requirements. This helps members stay compliant and reduces the risk of penalties or misinterpretations.
3. Proactive Communication: The association encourages LDH to provide proactive communication and memos on relevant regulatory changes or updates, ensuring members are well-prepared to meet requirements before issues arise.
4. Support in Crisis Situations: The association assists during emergency situations (such as natural disasters), coordinating with LDH on behalf of its members to ensure that regulations regarding shelter-in-place or evacuation are clear and that appropriate procedures are followed.
5. Providing Feedback and Solutions: When field agents or local offices may be understaffed or face challenges in managing multiple licensed entities, the association offers solutions, like providing assistance or resources, to help ease the burden on LDH, improving service delivery for both the department and its members.

Through these efforts, the MS-LALA association strengthens collaboration between LDH and senior living providers, ensuring that both parties work toward better outcomes for the industry and the residents they serve.