Live Blog: Legislative Day 2011

by Chris English on Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Not able to make it to Des Moines today for Legislative Day 2011? Fear not – IHA is offering a Live Blog to keep everyone up-to-date on the events of the day as well as the issues being discussed as health care advocates meet with their legislators up on Capitol Hill.

Keep checking back thoughout the day to view updates of the day’s events. Please feel free to leave comments or join the discussion on Twitter.

11:00 a.m.

Hundreds of hospital advocates from all around the state have started to gather at the Polk County Convention Center in Des Moines. Soon, the day’s events will begin with the presenting of the color guard and the playing of the national anthem followed by opening remarks from IHA Board Chair, Joe Smith.

—

11:45 a.m.

Michael Johnston, VP Network Development at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa (Mason City) takes a minute to talk about why its important to bring advocates from his hospital to Des Moines for Legislative Day.

—

12:15 p.m.

Ben Franklin takes the stage to provide insight on his life as well as current and past issues.

—

1:30 p.m.

Scott Curtis, Administrator/CEO of Kossuth Regional Health Center (Algona), prepares his hospital’s advocates for their upcoming meeting with legislators while on their way up to the Statehouse.

—

2:30 p.m.

Todd Hudspeth, CEO at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center (Storm Lake) talks about the importance of getting health care advocates to Des Moines for an event such as Legislative Day.

—

3:00 p.m.

Chad Wolbers (middle, left), COO at The Finley Hospital (Dubuque), and advocates from The Finley Hospital meet with Representative Charles Isenhart (D-27) outside of the House chambers. Several groups from Iowa hospitals are meeting with their legislators around the busy rotunda at the Iowa State Capitol. All in all, over 600 people were in attendance for Legislative Day, making this a very succesful day for health care in Iowa.

—