During a Q&A session at AHA’s 2024 Annual Meeting on April 14-16, Sarah Lechner, senior vice president and chief of external affairs for Hackensack Meridian Health, stressed the importance of centering advocacy efforts on the patient. She was joined by Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association, who discussed strategies for building relationships with elected officials when advocating for hospitals and health systems.
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 focusing on the patient and working closely with legislators, hospitals and health systems can establish impactful relationships that benefit both parties.
Nordquist agreed with Lechner and noted 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 starting the advocacy process as early as possible and maintaining a reciprocal relationship with legislators, hospitals and health systems can ensure their voices are heard in decisions that affect their patients’ care.
