WASHINGTON PRESENCE AND INFLUENCE

Each of the individuals at Hart Health Strategies served in the Legislative or Executive Branches of government and knows well the political environment. We work on behalf of our clients to seek opportunities to enhance their visibility through direct contact with Members of Congress and their staff.

Hart Health Strategies actively represents clients' legislative priorities and initiatives through in-person meetings educating staff and officials with Congress and the Administration. This education may also be done through participation in briefings on Capitol Hill, which we could help organize and facilitate or, as appropriate, through participation in congressional hearings.

We identify congressional champions for legislative initiatives, focusing on those Members who serve on health committees of jurisdiction, have a leadership role in health care issues or a personal interest.

We assist with the identification and then actively seek support and sponsorship of legislation from Members of Congress. Support for legislative initiatives can take a number of different forms, apart from introducing and co-sponsoring a bill. As appropriate, we work with Members to speak on the House or Senate Floor or in committee about key legislation or health policy priorities, offer key legislation as an amendment to relevant bills, insert a statement into the Congressional Record, or place an op-ed on the issue.

Beyond educating Congressional members and Hill staff, any strategy should include educating officials within the Administration, including the White House, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and other relevant departments and agencies. Such efforts might also involve working with the Office of Management & Budget (OMB), the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Congressional Research Service (CRS) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO).