As the Voice in Washington, D.C., for the Nation S Investor-Owned and Managed Community

As the voice in Washington, D.C., for the nation’s investor-owned and managed community hospitals and health systems, the Federation of American Hospitals (FAH) has become one of the most respected and influential health policy advocacy organizations in the country and their annual conference is a ‘can’t miss’ event.

The FAH Public Policy Conference provides attendees with solid information and the perspectives of leading elected officials and policy makers impacting health policy issues in the U.S. This year’s event is February 27th – March 1st at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, DC.

As always, Bonnie Moneypenny, FAH’s senior vice president and her team have done a great job in putting together a stellar conference program. You can see the entire program here, but one update, which I believe is of interest to all attendees, is the recent speaker additions for the Plenary Session on Tuesday, March 1. FAH’s president and CEO, ‘Chip’ Kahn will moderate the session featuring: U. S. Representative Eric Cantor (R-VA),U.S. Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT), U. S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), U. S. Representative Dave Camp (R-MI) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service Administrator Donald M. Berwick, M.D.

I recently had the chance to speak with Bonnie about the upcoming conference. “The FAH Public Policy Conference and Business Exposition is an executive forum where all hospital supplier companies—large or small—have access to the GPO/IDN purchasing executives. The meeting provides a unique opportunity for a hospital supplier company to capitalize on networking opportunities, interact and meet with healthcare decision-makers and participate in outstanding educational workshops,” says Bonnie.“In addition, the general sessions feature leading experts from the Administration, Congress and regulatory agencies. The meeting is truly a one-stop opportunity to increase your business.”

Since 1966, the organization has been dedicated to a market-based philosophy and has worked on behalf of its members on important healthcare issues, such as Medicare and Medicaid, the uninsured, health care quality, patient safety, health information technology, medical liability insurance reform, rural health care, long-term hospital care, inpatient psychiatric care, hospital emergency preparedness, antitrust, compliance, the healthcare workforce shortage, privacy and confidentiality, tax issues, and rehabilitation services, among other important issues.

—John Kelly