Sarah Lechner, senior vice president and chief of external affairs for Hackensack Meridian Health, emphasized the importance of centering advocacy efforts on the patient during a Q&A session at AHA’s 2024 Annual Meeting on April 14-16. Alongside Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association, Lechner discussed strategies for building relationships with elected officials when advocating for hospitals and health systems.
Nordquist stressed the need for starting the advocacy process as early as possible, noting that politicians consider a variety of factors when making decisions, including support for favorable votes. He emphasized the importance of self-improvement and collaboration with state associations to identify opportunities to connect with elected officials and advocate effectively. By focusing on the patient and working closely with legislators, hospitals and health systems can establish impactful relationships that benefit both parties.
Lechner highlighted the significance of early engagement, hosting site visits, crafting tailored messages with specific requests, and maintaining a reciprocal relationship with legislators. She emphasized that by engaging with elected officials early on in the process, hospitals and health systems can build trust and establish a relationship that will benefit them in the long run. Site visits are also important as they allow elected officials to see firsthand how hospitals and health systems are impacting their communities. Crafting tailored messages with specific requests is crucial as it ensures that elected officials understand exactly what is being asked of them. Maintaining a reciprocal relationship with legislators is also important as it shows that hospitals and health systems value their support and are willing to work together to find solutions that benefit everyone involved.