Iowa Specialty Hospital Representatives Participate in Annual Day on the Hill at the State Capitol
On Wednesday, March 11, more than 240 hospital leaders, health care professionals and advocates, representing 76 Iowa hospitals and health systems across the state, gathered at the Iowa State Capitol for the Iowa Hospital Association’s (IHA) annual Hospital Day on the Hill.
Local leadership attended, representing Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics, including Steve Simonin, President and CEO; Letitia Dominick, Surgery Leader; Vanessa Smith, Hospital Nurse Leader; Kayla Zeien, Nurse Education Leader; Amber Hunt, ER Nurse Leader; Rachel Fletcher, Behavioral Health Leader; Alexis Chaney, Hampton Clinic Leader; Virginia Tonelli, Rural Health Advocacy Director.
“Any day that we can celebrate Iowa in the most beautiful capital is a good day,” stated Steve Simonin, President and CEO of Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics. “Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics was blessed with fantastic representation on the 11th of March. The bulk of our time was spent talking to our lawmakers about the important issues that both drive and impede care in our areas. As Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics represents a lot of North Central Iowa, one would think our needs vary. However, healthcare in small communities is essentially about the care of our families and friends. Whether it’s cancer care, maternal needs, or insurance prior authorization, the stories are so important for the lawmakers to hear. They are also community members, and they want to understand the problems their constituents are facing. It was a very worthwhile day.”
The impactful day empowered IHA members to connect with lawmakers to strengthen dialogue and influence key health care policies in Iowa.
“Iowa hospitals are essential to the health and economic vitality of our communities,” said Chris Mitchell, IHA President & CEO. “Hospital Day on the Hill provides an opportunity for legislators to hear directly from hospital and health system representatives about the challenges and opportunities facing Iowa’s health care system.”
Participants discussed key issues, including workforce shortages, improving access to care for rural and underserved communities, and lowering health care costs.
Throughout the day, attendees met with legislators, attended policy briefings, and shared stories illustrating how legislative decisions impact patients, health care providers, and local economies. The event reinforces IHA’s commitment to advocacy, education, and partnership in advancing high-quality health care across the state.
“Iowa hospitals are not just care providers, they are major employers and community anchors,” Mitchell said. “Strong public policy is critical to sustaining these institutions and the services they provide. Hospital Day on the Hill allows us to share real-world frontline perspectives with policymakers and work collaboratively on solutions that ensure Iowans continue to have access to safe, high-quality care close to home.”
IHA represents 121 hospitals and health systems across the state and supports its members through advocacy, education, and data services.
Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics representatives pictured from left to right:
Virginia Tonelli, Kayla Zeien, Letitia Dominick, Vanessa Smith, Alexis Chaney, Rachel Fletcher, Amber Hunt, and Steve Simonin
About the Iowa Hospital Association
Since its founding in 1929, the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) has served as the unified voice for Iowa’s hospitals and health systems. As a nonprofit association committed to advancing health care across the state through advocacy, education, and data services, the organization supports 121 Iowa hospitals and health systems in achieving their goals and delivering high-quality care to the communities they serve. IHA advocates for sound health policy at both the state and federal levels, provides year-round professional development opportunities, and delivers actionable data insights to help hospitals improve care delivery. Together with its members, IHA is reimagining health care in Iowa for life-changing outcomes.
