The Government & External Affairs team at UnityPoint Health® is pleased to share the health system’s 2020 State Legislative Agenda and Children’s Legislative Agenda. These agendas reflect the key legislative and policy priorities of UnityPoint Health and serve as an advocacy and educational tool for state elected officials and staff, state agencies and associations, members of the press and the general public.
Each year, the UnityPoint Health Government & External Affairs team meets with and solicits input from hundreds of UnityPoint Health physicians, providers, leaders, board members, staff and patients for the health system’s legislative priorities. The 2020 State and Children’s Legislative Agendas reflect the key priorities the Government & External Affairs team will focus on through advocacy efforts at the Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin State Capitols, as well as in other key state agency, legislator and community meetings and events.
“As health care continues to rapidly evolve, and we must collaborate with industry players and our government to stay ahead of the curve,” says Kevin Vermeer, President & CEO of UnityPoint Health. “Our annual legislative priorities highlight the most vital changes needed in order for us to do what we do best: deliver easier, more personal care to the patients, families and communities we serve.”
State Legislative Agenda
The UnityPoint Health State Legislative Agenda focuses on legislative issues specific to Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin, such as behavioral health, Emergency Medical Services, maternal health, licensure and telehealth parity, among others. As in prior years, the agenda is formulated to showcase key priorities by state. New to the State Legislative Agenda this year is the addition of a key multistate priority that focuses on price transparency.
Children’s Legislative Agenda
This year marks the continuation of UnityPoint Health® – Blank Children’s Hospital leading the development of the health system’s Children’s Legislative Agenda. This agenda aligns with many of the key health care issues highlighted in the State Legislative Agenda but focuses on legislative, policy and regulatory requests specific to children, teens and young adults.
Additional Issues Beyond the State and Children’s Agendas
While the health system’s agendas highlight major areas of focus for the upcoming 2020 legislative sessions, there are additional important legislative, policy and regulatory issues that typically arise throughout the year. The Government & External Affairs team will be addressing and advocating for all issues of impact to patients, families and communities served by UnityPoint Health.
To View the UnityPoint Health Legislative Agendas or For More Information
The UnityPoint Health legislative agendas are available online at unitypoint.org/legislative-agendas or by visiting the Government & External Affairs website, unitypoint.org/govaffairs, and then clicking on “Legislative Agendas”.
For more information, please contact Ashley Thompson, Director of Government & External Affairs at UnityPoint Health, at Ashley.Thompson@unitypoint.org.