Educating the community about healthcare reform.

~| cmember the good old days? When R hospitals were viewed as a unique communi ty benefi t , placed on a pedestal by a grateful public? When educating business and government leaders about hospital operations and healthcare issues seemed unnecessary? Those days are but a memory'. Today, the public is chopping away at that pedestal, challenging healthcare providers as never before. Employers, at risk of going out of business because of skyrocketing healthcare costs, are forming business coalitions to investigate how they can influence changes. Physicians, frustrated by lower payments, increased regulations, and less control, seek more participation in hospital governance and continually challenge administrators. And the government seeks solutions that leave us uncertain and unable to predict our future. In the past, caring for patients was providers' first concern. Setting policy and educating legislators was someone else's job. Although hospitals have felt the sting of questionable laws and regulations, until recently they have done little to influence change. While insurers built strong governmental lobbies and consumers united to bend politicians' ears, hospitals went about the business of healing the sick and left their political fates in the hands of others.