Bothwell contingent travels to U.S. Capitol for advocacy trip

Bothwell Regional Health Center CEO Lori Wightman, family and obstetric physician Dr. Misty Todd and Sedalia Mayor Andrew Dawson participated in the Missouri Hospital Association’s annual rural advocacy trip Sept. 9 and 10 in Washington, D.C.

Along with more than 40 other leaders from 26 health care organizations from across the state, the trio visited with congressional representatives including Rep. Mark Alford, Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, Sen. Josh Hawley and Sen. Eric Schmitt to discuss protecting and preserving the 340B federal drug pricing program, helping hospitals attract and retain physicians and Medicare Advantage reform.

The annual trip is an opportunity for attendees to personally visit with legislators and share successes and challenges facing rural hospitals. Wightman said she invited Dawson, who also is a member of the Bothwell Board of Trustees, to attend this year’s trip because of his involvement in health care advocacy.

“Mayor Dawson has twice testified at the state level on Bothwell’s behalf in support of Senate Bill 751 and the 340B program,” she said. “This bill enacted legislation that requires drug manufacturers to provide outpatient drugs to eligible health care organizations and covered entities at significantly reduced prices. The savings and revenue from this legislation has been instrumental in stabilizing Bothwell’s finances.”

In addition to being a physician, Todd is program director for the Bothwell-University of Missouri Rural Family Medicine Residency, which trains new family medicine physicians to care for patients in rural communities.

“Missouri, like many states, is facing a critical shortage of physicians, especially in rural areas,” Wightman said. “We’re extremely fortunate that the university chose Bothwell to be the site for the state’s first rural residency. Dr. Todd’s passion for the program is evident to everyone she encounters, which makes her an excellent advocate for national proposals to help address the shortage.”

Wightman said the annual trip is only one component of Bothwell’s legislative efforts to communicate directly with the people creating health care public policy.

“It’s so important to meet with our elected officials personally and ensure they understand the issues impacting us at the local level.”