Advocacy and Policy
Why is trustee advocacy important?
As a community leader, one of the most important roles a healthcare trustee has is to advocate on behalf of their organization. Federal and state policymakers must have a real understanding of the impact that legislative and regulatory changes would have on local health care facilities and the patients they serve. When state or federal lawmakers hear from a volunteer trustee on an issue of importance, they take notice.
How can trustees be an effective advocate?
Trustees must stay up to date on ever-changing healthcare trends and the impact of federal and state policy on their local hospital or health system. By working with the CEO and senior leaders, trustees can be a valuable asset in helping to deliver a coordinated and aligned message that underscores the impact of advocacy initiatives.
How can trustees voice concerns to policymakers?
Trustees can request a meeting, invite a legislator to visit the hospital and participate in letter-writing campaigns. They can also call their policymaker to discuss an issue of importance to their organization — which can be extremely powerful in delivering the message.
HANYS resources
- Access slides from Feb. 15 state budget briefing for healthcare trustees
- HANYS Advocacy Resource Center: Explore information about state and federal legislators who represent New York hospitals and health systems; view profiles of hospitals located in and around legislative districts and explore data on their vital role in improving their local economies and communities; and access HANYS’ state and federal advocacy resources.
- HANYS Government Affairs: Access federal and state advocacy information, tools, policy summaries, comment letters and other resources.
- HANYS Economic and Community Benefit Reports: Browse these statewide, regional, legislative and hospital- and system-specific reports to see how New York’s hospitals and health systems significantly impact their local economies and communities.
- Organ donation awareness: Access facts about organ, eye and tissue donation, along with information on promotion campaigns and tools to use in your organization.