Membership Involvement

Membership involvement was tantamount to moving our legislative agenda forward. Prior to the legislative session, MHA staff scheduled meetings with key legislators and the hospitals in their districts. Legislators received hospital economic impact information tailored for their districts during these health care tours.     

MHA's annual Health Issues Forum brought together hospitals and their legislators in the early weeks of the session. The event was used to review the legislative agenda and provide educational information and legislative perspectives. Over 57 Mississippi hospitals were represented at the forum. Three House and Senate committee chairmen delivered addresses to hospitals. A legislator appreciation lunch was held to connect legislators with the hospitals in their districts. Approximately one-half of our state legislators were able to join their hospitals for the lunch.

Hospital employee appearances at the Capitol were crucial during this session. Several times during the session, MHA asked members to phone, email or visit with legislators in person. Each time, hospitals came through with overwhelming support and demonstrated how they were involved and concerned about decisions made by their legislators. Hospital employees also filled the galleries during several important session votes.