As part of the SHM annual national meeting, The Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) sponsored “Hospitalists on The Hill” in Washington, D.C. Hill Day ’19 was a huge success with 160 hospitalists attending 189 meetings in offices of 36 states.
The day started with a morning briefing, after which participants boarded buses and headed to Capitol Hill for meetings with their individual Congressional and Senate offices. Hill Day participants asked their legislators to co-sponsor and support the passage of the following bills:
I’ve enjoyed Hill Day three times and come away feeling good each time. SHM does a great job making all the arrangements.”
Lois Richard, MD, PhD
1) The Improving access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2019 (H.R. 1682, S. 753) and 2) Fairness for High Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019 (H.R. 1044, S. 386). Fellow hospitalist, Dr. Lois Richard, participated in “Hospitalists on The Hill” in 2013, 2015, as well as in 2019. Dr. Richard strongly encourages colleagues to visit congressional leaders while in Washington and to write letters in support of these important issues
“On March 27, 2019, the final day of HM19, 160 of our fellow hospitalists fanned out across Capitol Hill to advocate for our patients and our specialty. In Congressional meetings throughout the day, hospitalists drew attention to two pressing issues, observation care reform and high-skilled visa reforms, while educating Congress about the critical role and impact of hospital medicine on the healthcare system.” – Grassroots Newsletter
Details of the above congressional bills and other advocacy resources can be found on the SHM website (Policy and Advocacy).