MHA CEO Report — Election Season

“You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog.” ?– Harry S. Truman

Election ads and coverage are everywhere, regardless of whether you’re watching television or scrolling on your phone. I don’t have to tell you the presidential election is today, Nov. 5, but I will always remind people of the importance and value of each vote. Elections have consequences and as an advocacy organization, we deal with those consequences daily. The outcome of the 2024 election will determine not just who occupies the White House, but also our state and federal lawmakers, administrative leaders, state supreme court justices and an assortment of local issues and ordinances. Each new legislative session brings new policymakers, who bring with them their plans on potential reform and change.

Michigan clearly took center stage in this election cycle. Nearly every day, one of the presidential candidates, their running mates, spouses or other proxies have made campaign stops throughout the state. We also have some of the most expensive congressional races in the country, particularly our U.S. Senate seat and the 7th and 8th? U.S. House districts. With this extra attention can come hyper-partisan headlines, added emotion and fatigue. During this time, it’s important to remember that there are healthcare champions on both sides of the aisle. Access to quality healthcare is not a partisan issue and its important candidates hear from their clinicians, healthcare workers, administrators, trustees, volunteers and others about the issues impacting healthcare at home. Politics are local and advocacy, at its core, is about relationship building. As Adam Carlson, our MHA Senior Vice President of Advocacy likes to say, “You must be present to win.”

Education and awareness are key during election season. The MHA has been active in making sure our hospitals have all the tools necessary. This includes election posters, a candidate guide, Race of the Week features on our website, multiple podcast episodes and regularly previewing the election throughout our committee, council and task force meetings.

My friend Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association, joined me in one of our latest podcasts and made an important point that regardless of the election outcome, issues like affordability, drug pricing and value-based payments are not going away. However, what will change are those decision-makers working on these topics and we have a role in both deciding who those individuals are and then educating them and being a resource.

If you have not done so already, please vote today. In preparation, listen to our latest podcast with MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel to understand all that is at risk this election cycle. And once you’re ready, drop off an absentee ballot, visit your clerk’s office for early voting or plan to stop by your voting precinct on Election Day. Remember, your vote matters – and your engagement in the process well beyond election day matters too. I have a dog and agree with President Truman – they are great. But I would encourage all of us to make friends in the political world as well. Our healthcare future depends on it.

As always, I welcome your thoughts.