Hundreds of Hospital Supporters Carry Message to Wisconsin Legislators:

“Healthy hospitals contribute to both physical, economic health of a community.”

Madison, WI – They started out from every corner of the state. Some rode on
buses, others carpooled. But they shared a common destination—Madison. And they brought with them one message for their legislators—even as their own financial positions shift in tough economic times, Wisconsin hospitals continue to serve their communities.

Nearly 600 hospital leaders and volunteers representing 116 health care organizations converged on the Monona Terrace April 1 for the Wisconsin Hospital Association’s Advocacy Day. In the morning, the group heard from the American Hospital Association. In the afternoon, well over 350 participants journeyed to the State Capitol to meet with their elected representatives.

WHA Executive Vice President Eric Borgerding encouraged the crowd to make their voices heard. “You know better than anyone that the hospital is an anchor to your community’s health. Hospitals are significant contributors to both the physical and economic health of a community. Today you have an opportunity to let your legislators know that you support your hospital and that you care deeply about the health of your fellow citizens,” Borgerding said during the program. “In other words, tell your story.”

Borgerding emphasized that Wisconsin hospitals have a good story to tell. Hospitals employ more than 100,000 people and account for $22 billion in economic activity. Wisconsin tops the nation in health care quality and safety rankings. It also leads the nation in voluntarily publicly reporting on the quality, safety, and services provided in Wisconsin communities.

Legislative Leaders Participate in Panel Discussion Four Wisconsin legislative leaders participated in a panel discussion of key health care issues. The legislators included: Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center), Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee), Rep. Donna Seidel (D-Wausau) and Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greenfield).

Health care issues discussed included health care reform in Wisconsin, the role of health information technology, and various issues addressing the health care workforce. DHS Officials Receive Honors Two top officials at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services received the WHA 2009 Health Care Advocate of the Year Award.

The WHA annually presents the award to an individual who demonstrates outstanding efforts on behalf of Wisconsin hospitals and a strong commitment to health care policy.

This year, DHS Secretary Karen Timberlake and Jason Helgerson, administrator of DHS’s Division of Health Financing shared the honor. According to WHA President Steve Brenton, Timberlake and Helgerson were tireless in their efforts to expand coverage and improve access to care for vulnerable populations Brenton noted, “You really cannot fully advance reform without addressing both of those issues.

In other words, coverage without necessary infrastructure fails to adequately achieve meaningful health reform.” Timberlake and Helgerson successfully expanded coverage in Wisconsin by making improvements in
the Medicaid BadgerCare Plus program, which enrolled over 70,000 new beneficiaries in 2008.

They were also instrumental in gaining approval for a waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that over the next two years, will allow as many as 80,000 childless adults to receive
Medicaid benefits.

“These two dedicated public officials understand the essential need for appropriate access to health care services, especially primary care services,” Brenton added. “All across Wisconsin, inadequate access threatens to undermine our successes on the coverage side of the ledger.”

The Wisconsin Hospital Association represents more than 130 hospitals and health care systems that have a mission to provide accessible, affordable and high quality care in the communities they serve.

For more information about Wisconsin hospitals visit: www.wha.org.

Posted @ 8:00 a.m.

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