Healthcare Legislative Day Scheduled for February

The Grinnell Regional Medical Center Auxiliary invites the public to participate in the annual Iowa Hospital Association’s Legislative Day, scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 26. Legislative Day allows area residents to be healthcare advocates about the government’s role in healthcare policy and funding. This is especially of interest as healthcare reform is being implemented on the state and federal levels.

Legislative Day begins with lunch and program at the Veterans Memorial Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center Ballroom. The GRMC Auxiliary has reserved a motorcoach to transport area residents to Des Moines. The coach will leave Grinnell at 10 a.m. The event is sponsored by the GRMC Auxiliary without charge to participants.

Dean Borg, political correspondent for Iowa Public Radio and host of Iowa Public Television program, “Iowa Press” will be the keynote speaker.

Greg Boattenhamer, IHA government relations senior vice president, will discuss the 2014 legislative agenda. Kirk Norris, IHA president and CEO also provides an overview and message to the assembled crowd.

Another highlight of the day is meeting with legislators representing the Poweshiek County area. Plans are in the works to meet with State Representative Dave Maxwell and State Senator Tim Kapucian.  

“Legislative Day provides a great opportunity to learn about healthcare policy, particularly at the state level,” says Shannon Reding, GRMC Auxiliary president. “The Auxiliary feels strongly about this event and we encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about healthcare policy or just to represent GRMC to our legislators to attend.”

To sign up for this free event, please call the GRMC volunteer office at 641-236-2588, or email at kolson@grmc.us, by Wednesday, Feb. 5. 

Legislative Day is the largest annual gathering of healthcare advocates during the year, with more than 1,000 in attendance. The event, sponsored by Iowa Hospital Association, is free to all hospital supporters across the state. The purpose of Legislative Day 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 more than 30 participants attending in recent years.

“It is a particularly interesting time to be in healthcare,” explains Todd Linden, GRMC president and CEO. “Historic healthcare policy and funding reforms are being implemented right now and Legislative Day provides a great opportunity for community members to learn more about what’s going on.” 

The IHA provides legislative papers explaining current healthcare topics. Issues under consideration include healthcare reform implementation, the Medicaid State Innovation Model, and behavioral health redesign.