Advocacy Trip to Washington D.C.

A group of DHLF members traveled to Washington, D.C. the week of 5/22/17 to advocate on issues related to the ACA repeal/AHCA on behalf of California’s district and municipal hospitals.  The members were successful in communicating the district/municipal hospital concerns with the AHCA.  Additionally, they were able to hear representatives’ input regarding the discussions and decisions that led to the vote in the House.  

It was a busy two days of meetings as this group met with approximately 30 Congressional Representatives and/or their staff and the staff of the two U.S. Senators.  Each of the hospital members were able to meet with representatives and/or staff from their local areas.  Additionally, meetings were held with Republican Representatives with district/municipal hospitals in the district as well as Congressional Representatives who serve on key committees.  Your colleagues did an excellent job outlining concerns and describing district/municipal hospitals’ challenges for both those in attendance and those unable to make the trip. 

A giant thank you to the DHLF delegation pictured below:  Elly Garner, Govt Affairs Director, Palomar Health; Gary Herbst, CFO, Kaweah Delta Healthcare District; John McCormick, CEO, Oak Valley District Hospital; Donna Hefner, CEO, Sierra View Medical Center; Harry Weis, CEO, Tahoe Forest Health System; Steve Clark, DHLF staff; Ted Owens, Govt Affairs Director, Tahoe Forest Health System; and Melanie Van Winkle, CFO, Mammoth Hospital.  And a huge thank you to Charity Bracy, DHLF federal advocate who coordinated the trip (constant schedule changes and all). 

As we heard in DC, it is critical for Representatives (especially the Republicans) to hear directly from their constituents.  They will be in their districts in August so we encourage you to invite them to your hospital during that month.  DHLF staff stands ready to assist with this.  And for future advocacy trips (both to DC and Sacramento), it is important that our elected officials hear directly from those of you on the front lines of providing health care to community members. 

As references (and for the tours in the district), I’m attaching the key documents we used in Washington.