During a Q&A session at the AHA’s 2024 Annual Meeting on April 14-16, Sarah Lechner, senior vice president and chief of external affairs for Hackensack Meridian Health, emphasized the importance of focusing on the patient when advocating for hospitals and health systems. She highlighted the need to establish effective relationships with elected officials in order to effectively communicate the needs of the healthcare industry.
Lechner, along with Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association, discussed the key elements that can help build relationships with legislators. They stressed the significance of early engagement, hosting site visits, crafting tailored messages with specific requests, and practicing reciprocity in interactions with lawmakers. According to Nordquist, starting the engagement process as early as possible is crucial to influencing decision-making and garnering support from legislators.
Both Lechner and Nordquist emphasized the importance of working with state associations to identify opportunities for engagement with elected officials and strategize on how to effectively communicate the needs of hospitals and health systems. By dedicating time and effort to building relationships with legislators, healthcare advocates can improve their chances of securing favorable votes and support for important healthcare initiatives.