Valued Voice

More than 700 health care leaders, providers, hospital staff, trustees and volunteers traveled from across Wisconsin on March 20 to the state’s capitol to participate in the Wisconsin Hospital Association’s (WHA) annual Advocacy Day. Before meeting with lawmakers in the State Capitol, attendees gathered to hear from American Hospital Association President and CEO Rick Pollack, who traveled to Madison from Washington, D. C. for the event’s keynote portion, a discussion moderated by WHA President and CEO Eric Borgerding.



Participants also heard remarks by Gov. Tony Evers and a bipartisan legislative panel with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester), Minority Leader Rep. Greta Neubauer (D-Racine), Majority Leader Sen. Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) and Minority Leader Sen. Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton).
 
During the afternoon, Wisconsin hospitals showcased their quality improvement initiatives at the Capitol Rotunda. The Health Care Quality Showcase offered legislators, hospital staff and leadership, and the public the opportunity to engage with the dedicated staff behind enhanced patient care at Wisconsin hospitals. From bolstering quality and safety to enhancing accessibility and value, attendees witnessed the transformative strides being made every day by these health care professionals. Featured projects included topics such as improving care for older adults, transitional care management, advancing health equity in rural communities, coordinating care and much more.
 
Advocacy Day participants were encouraged to remind lawmakers and staff how indispensable hospitals remain to Wisconsin’s communities. Discussions focused on solutions to these challenges, in the form of collaboration between hospitals and lawmakers, prioritizing investments in health care infrastructure, developing the state’s health care workforce, boosting hospitals’ resources and support, and fostering patient-centered initiatives.