Harris DeVille & Associates

THE STRAIGHT STORY

To enlist the public’s support and build momentum to defeat bills in the Louisiana Legislature that would have restricted the state’s open formulary by introducing prior authorization and to protect the prescription drug budget for the coming fiscal year.

A statewide grassroots campaign was developed and implemented. It had a legislative and public relations component to educate audiences on the benefits of prescription drug treatment and the importance of adequate Medicaid funding. A poll was conducted to gauge the public’s attitudes toward health issues. Key messages were crafted and statewide health associations were recruited to participate in a coalition to fight the legislation. Members of the coalition participated in a statewide bus tour, holding press conferences with the support of local legislators at each stop. T-shirts, golf shirts, displays, call-to-action packets and press kits were developed for the tour. In addition, regular correspondence was sent to the Legislature, fact sheets were developed and newspaper ads ran during the legislative session.

The press tour was a huge success with more than 500 people turning out for the various meetings. The coalition received television and newspaper coverage in every major media market in the state. The campaign was also covered by the Associated Press and USA Today. Legislation that would have implemented prior authorization and restricted Louisiana’s open formulary law was defeated, helping to secure adequate Medicaid funding for prescription drugs.

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