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What Is Advocacy?
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law defines advocacy as the action of advocating, pleading for, or supporting a cause or proposal.
As Health Information Management professionals, we have the opportunity to advocate for and influence outcomes within healthcare. At the national and state level, HIM professionals have been actively involved in influencing the outcome of legislation regarding various issues for many years. Most recently we have been involved in determining parameters for health information exchange among other important issues. You also have the opportunity to advocate in your work environment each day by sharing HIM/AHIMA resources, which advocates for our profession and the value we bring.
Why Do We Need to Get Involved?
We elect individuals within the United States to represent our interests. These elected representatives make decisions that have a great impact on how we perform our jobs each day and we can make a difference in how they comprehend our issues and represent our interests.
Are there HIM issues that you are passionate about?
Do you desire to see changes within the HIM profession or healthcare in general?
Do you want to raise awareness of the HIM profession, and help others to have a better understanding of what HIM is and how HIM professionals can contribute to healthcare?
These are just a few examples of why you should get involved!! We need your help!!
How Do I Get Involved?
1. Join your CSA.
2. Volunteer – within your CSA as well as other healthcare groups (i.e. North Carolina Hospital Association) - to volunteer for NCHIMA, visit http://www.nchima.org
3. Attend your local Hill Day and meet with your representatives. See Save the Date box above for information on the 2011 NC Hill Day.
4. Research current legislation pending in North Carolina – please visit AHIMA Advocacy Assistant, https://secure.ahima.org/login/default.aspx?appletid=AdvocacyAssistant
5. Find policy papers and call to action from AHIMA by visiting http://www.ahima.org/advocacy/default.aspx
6. Communicate with your representatives and CSA Board.
7. STAY INVOLVED – advocacy does not end when Hill Day is over!
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