Advocating for a Better Health Care Future
Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation
Building leadership, shaping practice, affecting policy, and driving innovation through collaborative partnerships.
FHLI is committed to advancing health equity and improving the well-being of all North Carolinians with collaborative, community-driven solutions. A key part of our work involves advancing systems-level change through policy advocacy. This year, our team and partners will focus on expanding the following at the federal level:
You can learn more about our 2024-2025 policy priorities, experience at the National Rural Health Association Policy Institute, trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and reflections on Black History Month below.
2024 National Rural Health Association Policy Institute
From February 13th-15th, members of the North Carolina Rural Health Association (NCRHA) visited Washington, D.C. to meet with elected officials and advocate for policies to improve access to care in rural areas.
We joined fellow advocates from all over the country for the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) Policy Institute. This annual event allows state Rural Health Association members to engage with federal representatives and advocate for rural health policy.
North Carolina’s delegation met with elected officials and staff from Senator Thom Tillis and Representatives Deborah Ross, Wiley Nickel, Valerie Foushee, and Chuck Edwards’ offices. In these legislative meetings, FHLI and our NCRHA partners spoke with elected officials about the following:
1.???? Providing for rural broadband expansion and adoption.
2.???? Investing in a strong rural safety net.
3.???? Building a more robust rural health care workforce.?
4.???? Extending and increasing funding for community health centers.?
5.???? Addressing rural health equity.
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Trip to the National Museum of African American History & Culture
Throughout our work, we honor the voices, experiences, and vision of Black individuals and communities across our state. With the 2024 Black History Month theme of “Celebrating African Americans and the Arts,” we recognize the transformative power of Black artists and visionaries in driving progress.
During our time in D.C. last month, some FHLI staff members visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) . We reflected on Black History Month and the culture, heritage, struggle, and joy spanning centuries of the Black experience in the United States.
As we looked back at the past, we also reflected on history being made today in communities across North Carolina. While at the Capitol, we ran into Dr. Karen Smith , Hoke County Medical Director and lead Family Medicine Physician, who was named North Carolina’s “Community Star” in 2023.
The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health names Community Stars annually for each state. FHLI helped recognize Dr. Smith at the National Rural Health Day Celebration last year for her leadership and contributions to improving health and well-being in her community.
On top of her service as a family physician, Dr. Smith actively advocates for policy change, embodying the multifaceted efforts to create a more equitable future for Black Americans, a theme emphasized throughout the NAAMHC exhibits.?
Stay Tuned for Our 2025 NC Policy Agenda
In preparation for the 2025 legislative session, we are excited to identify policy priorities that will advance health equity and access to care in North Carolina. Stay tuned for more information and ways to get involved. You can join us in making a lasting impact today by supporting our efforts to advance systems-level changes that benefit our rural and underserved communities .