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Health Care Providers' Government Relations Handbook: Shaping Policy to Win

Author(s): Martha Dale Nathanson, JD
Details:
  • ISBN-13: 9780763731915
  • ISBN-10:0763731919
  • Hardcover    202 pages      © 2005
Price: International Sales $161.95 US List
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Overview

With today’s health care industry so highly regulated, it behooves health system and facility executives to actively influence legislation and regulation at all levels -- local, state and federal. The Health Care Providers' Government Relations Handbook provides health executives and their consultants with the expertise to develop their own long-term plan for government relations and explains how to utilize the services of contract lobbyists more efficiently. Executives, strategists, attorneys, and other advisors can draw from the book’s numerous real life examples and case studies to craft their own strategy for achieving their organization’s goals.

Case Studies, Sample Forms, and Topics Covered in this Book Will Help You:

  • Prepare persuasive lobbying materials such as position papers, support letters, draft bill language and testimony that address serious operational issues
  • Hire the right mix of internal staff and contract lobbyists to achieve your goals
  • Obtain sufficient government funds to maintain your health facility
  • Engage supporters from within your organization and from your community to communicate with local, state and federal government about issues of importance to your organization and your patients
  • Develop a powerful long-term government relations plan
  • Understand the scope of government regulation on the health care industry
  • Craft a strategic approach to solving your organization’s health policy dilemmas and convey your needs to legislative committees and staff

Learn more about how to put the principles in this book to work for you.  Contact the author directly at healthgovstrategy@yahoo.com for a free consultation.

ShowKey Features

Case Studies and Sample Scenarios – Drawn from public policy controversies and issues affecting the health care industry, featuring narratives with proposed strategies and results, sample letters, position papers, testimony and bills

The Government Relations Function – Explains how health care organizations can develop and implement an effective government relations function

Tracking the Topics – A comprehensive checklist of important topics affecting the health care industry provides executives with a handy reference for spotting issues likely to arise in the legislative and regulatory arenas

Learning the Language – Key terminology and insider language used clearly throughout the book and explained in a glossary

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ShowTable of Contents

BASIC GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

The Legislative Branch
The Executive Branch
Legislative Process
The Administrative Process

Case Study #1: Health Care Staff Shortages – Workforce Development Programs

DEVELOPING THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FUNCTION

Staffing for the Government Relations Department 
Working With Other Lobbyists
Legal and Ethical Rules Governing Lobbyist Activity
Evaluating Lobbying Efforts
Empowering the Board and Employees for Advocacy
Board Activity
Getting Employees Involved

Case Study #2: Safe Place Legislation – Abandonment of Newborns

ENGAGING IN LOBBYING ACTIVITY

Developing Relationships with Legislators and Staff
Meeting With Legislators
Using Other Means of Communication
Using the Hospital as a Lobbying Tool – Conducting Site Visits and Annual Legislative Events
Site Visit
Annual Legislative Briefing
Preparing Position Papers
Working with Legislative Committees
Testifying Before a Committee  
Proposing Legislation
Drafting Legislation
Earmarking As a Strategy
Special Information for 501(c)(3) Organizations

Case Study #3: Trauma Services – Licensure And Reimbursement

ENGAGING IN GRASSROOTS ACTIVITY

Working with Trade and Professional Associations
Working with Community Organization
Working with Advocacy Groups
Forming Coalitions
Working with the Media

Case Study #4: The Hospital As A Citizen

ENGAGING IN POLITICAL ACTIVITY

Campaign Contributions

TRACKING THE TOPICS

LEARNING THE LANGUAGE

Index


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ShowAbout the Author(s)

Martha Dale Nathanson, JD

Martha Dale Nathanson is Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy for LifeBridge Health, Inc., a regional health system in Maryland. Prior to assuming this position, she was Associate General Counsel for LifeBridge. Earlier in her career, Ms. Nathanson was director of risk management and legislative/regulatory affairs for a home medical equipment services provider, an attorney advisor at the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) and an associate attorney at Ober, Kaler, Grimes. She is also the author of two prior books by Aspen Publishers: Home Health Care Answer Book: Legal Issues for Providers and Home Care Fraud and Abuse: Critical Questions, Essential Answers. Ms. Nathanson received her law degree from Indiana University, Bloomington. She is involved in government and community relations activities locally, nationally and internationally.

Contributing author Asela M. Cuervo is Senior Vice President at the American Association for Homecare.

Additional Titles by this Author

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