The Grinnell Regional Medical Center Auxiliary invites the public to participate in the annual Iowa Hospital Association’s Legislative Day, scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 23. Legislative Day allows area residents to voice their opinion at the state capitol about the government’s role in healthcare policy and funding.
IHA Legislative Day, now in its 17th year, is the largest annual gathering of hospital advocates. The event, sponsored by Iowa Hospital Association, is free to all hospital supporters across the state. The mission is to give hospital advocates the tools and skills needed to directly address issues facing Iowa hospitals, healthcare providers, and citizens with their legislators at the Iowa Statehouse. Grinnell Regional Medical Center has been a leader in this program with an average of 40 individuals attending in recent years.
“With a new governor and change in House majority, funding for Medicare to hospitals and healthcare providers will be scrutinized,” explains Todd C. Linden, GRMC president and CEO. “Preserving Iowa’s Medicaid program – both in terms of services to beneficiaries and payments to healthcare providers – must be a priority for state government.”
The IHA provides legislative papers explaining current health related topics. Issues under consideration include behavioral health delivery system, healthcare data mandates, and state-level health insurance reform related to standardized claims and payment and operations.
The GRMC Auxiliary has reserved a bus to transport area residents to Legislative Day that will leave Grinnell at 10 a.m. The event, at the Polk County Convention Complex, begins with lunch followed by presentations. This year’s keynote speaker will be quite different. Ben Franklin Live!, portrayed by Christopher Lowell, will address the Legislative Day participants. Franklin will share his insights on both current and historical issues. In addition, IHA Greg Boattenhamer, IHA government relations senior vice president, will discuss the 2011 legislative agenda.
At 1:15 p.m., the GRMC group plans to meet with State Senator Tom Rielly and State Representative Guy Vander Linden.
To sign up for this free event, please call the GRMC volunteer office at 641-236-2588, or email at kolson@grmc.us, by Tuesday, Feb. 15.
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