Nearly 1,000 hospital and health system leaders, frontline workers, supporters, volunteers and stakeholders attended WHA’s 2022 Advocacy Day, held virtually on March 23, to learn from industry experts, receive updates on significant WHA initiatives and engage directly with elected leaders on issues of critical importance to health care providers and the patients they serve.
WHA President and CEO Eric Borgerding welcomed attendees in a
recorded message that was both reflective and optimistic. “Throughout two long years of COVID, Wisconsin hospitals and health systems have persevered and made WHA so proud to be your voice and advocate,” Borgerding said, recalling that Wisconsin’s health care workers had been tested like never before. “You adapted and stepped up to every new challenge with courage and professionalism, and saved thousands of lives in doing so,” he added.
While audience members are undoubtedly anxious to put COVID in the rearview mirror, Borgerding cautioned, “We can’t do that just yet, because there are so many opportunities to emerge stronger and better. And together, we will do just that.”
As emcee of the event, WHA Board Chair and Prairie Ridge Health CEO John Russell greeted attendees with praise for their resilience. "We coordinated, we collaborated, we tested and we vaccinated, all while caring for more patients than any of us would have previously believed we could handle," Russell recalled, adding, “I am proud to call myself one of the health care workers in the state of Wisconsin."
Borgerding presented WHA’s Advocacy All-Star Award to Advocate Aurora Health President and CEO Jim Skogsbergh (
see story) and recognized Rep. Evan Goyke as the 2022 WHA Advocate of the year (
see story).
Gov. Evers praised hospitals and their workers for going above and beyond in their roles during the state’s greatest public health crisis before announcing his signing of two important pieces of bipartisan legislation for Wisconsin hospitals and the patients they serve. Assembly Bill 960 protects Wisconsin health care workers and their families from threats and acts of violence, while Assembly Bill 679 permanently enables hospitals to deliver in-patient level care in a patient’s home (
see story).
WHA Senior Vice President of Government Relations Kyle O’Brien hosted a legislative panel discussion focused on the vital role Wisconsin hospitals and health systems play in their communities (
see story). Participants included Wisconsin State Sen. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan), Wisconsin State Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee), Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) and Rep. Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee).
The event’s keynote discussion featured former U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb and WHA’s Borgerding in an hour-long exchange focused on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and strategies that can be employed now to strengthen the state’s and the nation’s public health preparedness (
see story).
Following the morning gathering, hospital representatives met virtually with their state senators and representatives. They thanked lawmakers for enacting public policies that help Wisconsin hospitals, providers, staff and their patients, including critical Medicaid funding, removing regulatory barriers for innovative care delivery models and protecting health care workers from acts and threats of violence. Other key priorities highlighted included workforce challenges and hospitals’ important role in serving their communities.