NCHA serves as members' voice in the healthcare legislative arena, promoting delivery of quality healthcare and influencing public opinion of hospitals and health networks. Members depend on the Association for information, advice, and education on changes in healthcare regulations, legislation, trends, and other issues. NCHA accepts change, broadening its focus as its members broaden theirs. What does not change is the Association's dependability, excellent leadership, and value for the investment.

Monitoring Legislation & Regulatory Issues

Each year, NCHA monitors state and federal legislative and regulatory activities and keeps members informed of proposed changes. The Association continually advocates regulatory reforms that promote fair and consistent treatment for members.

Advocating For Healthcare

NCHA's GrassRoots Information Partnership builds members' strength by encouraging strong relationships with their local elected officials. This advocacy program enables members and their communities to work together to influence lawmakers' decisions on key healthcare issues and encourages communication between members and government leaders.

Representing Members' Interests

NCHA represents members before state legislators, state government agencies, and the state's congressional delegation. The Association analyzes proposed legislation and provides information to legislators; notifies members of opportunities to comment on proposed changes; and participates in various healthcare initiatives.

Seeking Member Input

Whether small or large, hospitals and health networks have a voice in the Association. By serving on NCHA's Board, committees, and task forces, hospital representatives may share innovative ideas, broaden their leadership roles, and network with peers. In 1997, NCHA's rural members gained a valuable new resource in the North Carolina Rural Health Center, an affiliate of NCHA. The Rural Health Center, funded by a grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust and The Duke Endowment, supports the efforts of rural health organizations to improve the health of their communities. The mission of the Rural Health Center is to lead and encourage the development of innovative, collaborative, community-based health initiatives that improve health in rural North Carolina. Services offered include resource development, consultation, referral, and education.

Encouraging Political Action

NCHA encourages members to participate in the political process by supporting its political action committee: HOSPAC. Through HOSPAC, hospital leaders can support political candidates who support hospitals, health networks and healthcare issues. HOSPAC also promotes relationship-building between hospital leaders and political candidates. It is among the top 15 largest corporate political action committees in the state, based on expenditures to North Carolina's legislative candidates. All contributions to HOSPAC are made by voluntarily by individuals. Corporate contributions are prohibited by law.

Educating Member Constituencies & Communities

As healthcare changes, hospital and health network staffs' need for education expands. NCHA's educational programs target all levels of administrative staff, and cover the most current healthcare issues. Other educational opportunities include:

• An annual institute for hospital trustees that enables them to enhance their knowledge and effectiveness as board members.
• Semi-annual membership meetings featuring national experts on current topics.
• In-state sponsorship of national seminars for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and the American College of Healthcare Executives.
• District meetings in NCHA's six geographic regions.
• Constituency meetings (small/rural hospitals, behavioral health, etc.).

Tracking Healthcare Trends

NCHA tracks healthcare trends through the Patient Data System -- a comprehensive database of patient records offered to members by NCHA and maintained by Thomson. The system enables participants to analyze the healthcare market and assess market position, shifts in key product lines, patient origin, quality of care, and much more. It also generates semi-annual statistical reports for members.

Keeping Members Informed

NCHA keeps members informed of current healthcare issues through weekly newsletters, specialized publications, and personal hospital visits. The Association also serves as a liaison to the American Hospital Association.

Communicating Members' Message

By working with the news media, organizing efforts to maintain relations with other opinion-leading organizations, and responding to requests for presentations, NCHA communicates its members' perspective. Staff members also respond to requests for information from members, reporters, and others. Information also is available through NCHA's Web site, http://www.ncha.org.

Improving Members' Cost Efficiency

Hospitals and health networks face intense pressure to balance cost efficiency and quality. NCHA Strategic Partners, a for-profit subsidiary of NCHA, offers members an array of financial, technological, and support services designed to provide quality, efficient care at costs considerably less than those of most other vendors.

Promoting Quality Healthcare

Educational materials, surveys, data programs, and conferences are all part of NCHA's ongoing effort to promote quality in healthcare delivery. Members may participate in the Quality Indicator Project, enabling them to refine their quality measurement programs. In addition, NCHA shares with hospitals quality issues and programs related to Joint Commission accreditation standards.

Ensuring Fiscal Well-Being

As demands increase to control expenditures and new regulations and changes in reimbursement methods evolve, members can rely on NCHA's financial services for information and guidance. NCHA holds workshops and leads task force groups on Medicare and Medicaid, UB 92, and other reimbursement and billing topics. The Association also represents members' financial interests before regulatory agencies and other third-party payers.

Supporting Allied Organizations

NCHA routinely communicates with leaders of numerous state professional societies and hospital employee organizations. Many NCHA members serve on health-related boards, task forces, societies, or associations.