Section... — State Lobbying — Federal Lobbying — Grassroots Campaigns   State Lobbying Wiener Associates prides itself on knowing how to reach successful outcomes for our clients regardless of political climate – and our track record backs that up. Among our recent lobbying successes: Passage of legislation clarifying when investigation of an expected, in-home hospice death is appropriate, and strengthening a hospice nurse’s role in the in-home hospice care team Passage of legislation regulating the payday advance industry. Passage of legislation protecting Michigan's wineries right to direct ship to the consumer. Passage of an administrative order clarifying the ability of airlines to furnish airplanes with alcoholic products purchased outside Michigan's regulated system. Passage of a 2004 tobacco tax increase to generate revenue for Medicaid and the state General Fund, and to discourage youth tobacco use Passage of legislation establishing patient due process protections and streamlining access to prescription drugs that require prior authorization in the Medicaid program  Passage of legislation creating an innovative "Single Point of Entry" for long--term care service information and community referral Blocking of measures to re-create a state court cause of action in tort for FDA-approved prescription drugs Passage of legislation creating mandatory high school graduation requirements with appropriate provisions and protections for students with developmental disabilities Passage of legislation requiring automatic external defibrillators and emergency medical plans in health clubs Passage of legislation retaining the highest standard for consent to release protected patient information on HIV/AIDS status Passage of legislation exempting critical drug classes (for treatment of mental illness, epilepsy, HIV and AIDS, cancer and organ transplant) from prior authorization in the Medicaid program Passage of legislation allowing Detroit-based hospitals to transfer beds to another location, as part of a statutory overhaul of the Certificate of Need program, against the opposition of business and labor groups Passage of legislation allowing for the withdrawal of a city from, and dissolution and sales of assets of, the South Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority Passage of controversial legislation creating the Detroit Wayne County Airport Authority, to govern Detroit Metropolitan Airport Passage of a measure to require that municipal solid waste incinerators have a 1000 foot setback from schools, day care centers, nursing homes and residential areas Passage (by one vote in the House and one vote in the Senate) of a measure to ratify four Indian gaming compacts Passage of over a dozen bills to curtail youth access to tobacco, including elimination of outdoor advertising of tobacco products and tougher restrictions on smoking in restaurants Significant new state spending for mental health services Creation of the Healthy Kids Dental program to assure access to oral health services for Michigan’s children New and continued programs in the Healthy Michigan Fund, including the Michigan Parkinson’s Initiative and African American Male Health Initiative Creation of licensure for hospice residences, the first new licensed health care facility category since the Public Health Code was adopted in 1978 Defeat of measures to create segregated charter school academies Enactment of measures to improve end-of-life care in Michigan, including repeal of the Michigan Official Prescription Program Inclusion of consumer safeguards in budget language allowing prior authorization for certain Medicaid pharmaceutical products Passage of measures strengthening safeguards for persons with disabilities, including reform of guardianship statutes and mandatory consumer involvement in managed behavioral health initiatives Enactment of legislation extending “Good Samaritan” immunity to persons providing emergency services using an Automatic External Defibrillator, which restarts a heart to its normal pumping action Creation of mandatory insurance coverage for diabetes equipment, supplies and education, the first new insurance mandate in Michigan in over a decade Back to Top Federal Lobbying Wiener Associates is also frequently involved in lobbying at the federal level. Recent federal lobbying activities have focused on specific sections of the Patient Bill of Rights, Federal Communications Commission approval of licensure applications, and land-in-trust and gaming issues before the United State Department of Interior. Back to Top Grassroots Campaigns Wiener Associates is often retained for grassroots advocacy campaigns, and our track record is just as successful as with our “hands on” lobbying. Recent significant campaigns include: Medicaid Access to Prescription Drugs - We organized and mobilized a broad coalition of health care and consumer advocates in their support of state legislation to protect access to prescription drugs for Medicaid recipients. Asbestos Litigation Reform – We are engaged to organize and coordinate the Michigan activities of a coalition encouraging national asbestos litigation reform. Americans for Technology Leadership - We were engaged to establish and coordinate a grass tops coalition urging Michigan congressional representatives to protect consumer choice and international competitiveness for high-tech American businesses. Consumer Alliance for Energy Security - We successfully organized a coalition urging Michigan's congressional delegation to allow limited offshore exploration for natural gas in the Gulf of Mexico. Partnership for Prescription Assistance - We created and facilitate the activities of the PPA, a national program providing access to free and low cost prescription drugs to eligible patients.  Over 120,000 Michigan patients have received assistance through PPA since mid-2005. Medicare Rx Education Network - We created and facilitate the Medicare Rx Education Network of Michigan, a statewide coalition raising awareness about Medicare Part D and providing enrollment assistance and other resources. OpenNet Coalition – We were active in organizing over 50 Michigan-based Internet Service Providers in efforts to open broadband Internet access. Northwest Airlines – We have worked with Northwest Airlines on several campaigns to influence United States policy in trade negotiations with the Japanese government. We’ve also worked with Northwest in encouraging the White House to end labor disputes between the airline and its pilots. “Stand Up For Steel” – We were engaged in two campaigns to raise Congressional awareness about problems caused by foreign steel “dumping” in the United States, and encourage White House action against dumping. Bankruptcy Reform Coalition – We coordinated the Michigan activities of a coalition seeking dramatic change in federal laws permitting automatic release from bankruptcy. International League for Animal Welfare – We played an integral role in an aggressive campaign to influence the United States government’s negotiations with Canada on reducing the Canadian seal hunt. Back to Top