Regional Advocacy
In-district meetings with Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) of the House Energy & Commerce Committee
HLC Regional Advocacy Program:
Bringing the HLC Message Home
Washington knows the Healthcare Leadership Council (HLC) is a leading voice for Improving healthcare quality.
The Regional Advocacy Program is essential to ensuring that HLC’s voice is heard at the grassroots level.
Six HLC Regional Directors around the country coordinate meetings and events with members of Congress and congressional candidates in their home states and congressional districts.
HLC makes an impact in a variety of ways, including:
- Congressional meetings in home states and districts
- Grasstops/grassroots mobilization and education of HLTeams
- Programs and events that honor excellence and leadership in healthcare
- Earned media activities
Since the Regional Advocacy Program’s inception, HLC has conducted nearly 3,300 meetings and events with members of Congress, congressional candidates and staff.
In-district meeting with Rep. John Tierney (D-MA) of the House Education & Workforce Committee
HLTeams: Lifeblood of the HLC Regional Advocacy Program
Health Leadership Teams (HLTeams) replicate HLC’s unique position as the voice of multiple sectors of the healthcare industry. HLTeams are made up of HLC member company representatives, local business executives, and other health advocates from the community. HLTeam participants present a consensus, cross-sector viewpoint on multiple healthcare issues. These meetings are successful in driving home HLC’s priority issues because constituents are able to explain the local impact of Washington policies on patients and jobs.
New Member Orientation
A cornerstone of HLC’s regional advocacy effort is the HLC Candidate Program and New Member Orientation Program. The Candidate Program builds relationships with potential new members of Congress and provides HLC members with valuable information about candidate healthcare views. In 2012, HLC regional directors met with 114 congressional candidates, 56 of whom are now in office. In 2013, HLC will meet with the remaining freshmen to introduce them to HLC and its priority issues. The New Member Orientation Program develops relationships with lawmakers early in their tenure, which has proven to be a valuable investment as these members gain seniority in the halls of Congress.
Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ), member of the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health, visits Johnson & Johnson's display at HLC’s 2012 Healthcare Innovation Expo
Congressional In-District Meetings
In 2012, HLTeams held more than 60 meetings with members of Congress in their home districts, with over half of those being with members on committees of jurisdiction. These face-to-face meetings allow HLTeam members to deliver HLC’s message on priority health issues and reinforce HLC activities in Washington. All meetings are open to HLC members and their representatives.
Events
HLC Regional Directors and HLTeams coordinate local health forums and other events including
town hall meetings for key members of Congress and their district staff. Discussing with lawmakers how policy affects the delivery of healthcare is one thing; showing them in person makes it more compelling. Hearing HLC’s message from constituents who work in healthcare operations is critical and it is for this reason the HLC Regional Advocacy Program strives to be a resource for these kinds of activities.
Awards
The HLC Regional Advocacy Program recognizes and salutes congressional members, healthcare organizations, and community programs that are leading the way toward improved quality and patient-centered healthcare. HLC annually bestows awards to lawmakers and organizations who go the extra mile to provide better healthcare delivery for all Americans.
Grasstops Mobilization
HLTeam members are called upon at critical stages in the legislative process to support HLC’s policy goals. Through personalized letters, phone calls, or e-mails to their lawmakers in Congress, local HLC members make their voices heard from beyond the Beltway.
Public Relations
As respected members of their communities, HLTeam members meet with editorial boards, brief reporters, conduct press conferences, and engage in other media-related activities to a lend local perspective to national healthcare discussions. In addition, HLC’s Regional Advocacy earned media efforts frequently result in the placement of op-eds, letters to the editor, and radio and television interviews in key congressional districts.
HLC’s Regional Advocacy Program:A Resource for Members of Congress
Healthcare issues continue to be a focus for the public, media, and 113th Congress. We encourage congressional offices – Democrat, Republican or Independent – to call upon HLC to:
- Assist in planning health forums on issues of interest within your local community
- Participate on a constituent healthcare advisory board
- Efficiently obtain information and feedback from multiple sectors of the healthcare industry
For more information on the HLC Regional Advocacy Program and how it can be a resource in your congressional district, please contact:
Amanda J. Uherek
Healthcare Leadership Council
202-452-8700
auherek@hlc.org