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April 2010
Strengthening Relationships With Your Legislators: A Mini-Residency
The success of IHA's advocacy agenda depends on the
contacts that hospital leaders establish with their
legislators at the grassroots level. The best way to
advance our legislative goals is for every member
hospital to have a good relationship with its
legislators. With new leadership in both the executive
and legislative branches, and hospital issues still on
the forefront, IHA invites you to redouble your efforts
to build or strengthen your relationship with your state
elected officials.
A Foundation for a Strong Relationship
Through IHA's mini-residency program, you can give your legislators a
first-hand look at the contributions your hospital makes, the challenges it
faces and the impact of potential legislation. The attached materials (click
here) will help you arrange a successful mini-residency that will serve as the
foundation for a continuing relationship.
Emphasize Your Benefit to Your Legislator’s Constituents
Emerging issues and legislative proposals create a constant need to educate
and familiarize elected officials about how they impact your hospital and the
community that you both serve. It’s important to discuss how issues like
Certificate of Need reform and extension, adequate Medicaid funding, starting
the Hospital Assessment program, charity care, the nurse staffing ratio
proposals, workforce shortage and Medicaid managed care affect your
hospital. Highlight the positive changes that have occurred as result of your
hospital’s implementation of the Nurse Staffing by Patient Acuity. (e.g.,
creation or modification of nursing committees, staffing adjustments made due to
feedback of direct care staff, etc.). It is essential to make it clear to your
legislators that your hospital’s true benefit to the community goes far
beyond the amount of charity care you provide. Be specific about community
outreach programs your hospital may be cosponsoring with schools, community
groups or faith-based organizations.
Scheduling Information
The best times to meet with legislators are Mondays or Fridays during
session or when the General Assembly is in recess. Both the House and Senate
will be on break from March 29-April 12. Please
consider contacting your legislators now to schedule a Mini-Residency as soon as
possible.
Resources and How to Participate
Please review the Mini-Residency program guide and the
Nobody Does it Better
brochure and then make a commitment to inviting your legislators to participate
in a mini-residency at your hospital. Contact
Kathleen Dunn or
Nichole Magalis
in IHA’s Springfield office (217-541-1150) for information on how to contact
your legislator. Then fax the response form to Nichole Magalis, IHA Government
Relations, at 217-541-1166.
The mini-residency program is an exciting opportunity to build relationships
with legislators at the all-important grassroots level. We hope you will
participate.
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