In the end, six of seven commissioners voted for the program. Local newspaper and media coverage gets the message out to the public, creates interest in a program and can help move the public into an advocacy role as well. Contacting politicians in an area and understanding their political base provides the most effective way of gaining their support. It helps to have a few champions interested in the program who already understand the political process and know about sources of funding. Since health care is a statewide, not a party, concern, regionalizing a program or building it into a state issue may generate more interest and support.
Persistence is all-important in gaining interest and eventually support for any program.