|
From the time a bill is introduced in the Nebraska Legislature to the time it does or doesn’t become law, many things happen along the way to help shape the final outcome of the bill.
One group that often plays a key advisory role to the Legislature is the UNMC Legislative Team. Each Tuesday morning during the legislative session, the team comes together for a 7:30 a.m. meeting in the Andrews Board Room.
The team, which is led by Bob Bartee, vice chancellor for external affairs, includes 36 members who represent nearly all of UNMC’s campus units, as well as its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, and its physician practice group, UNMC Physicians.
Each session, the group works diligently to make sure that UNMC’s best interests are represented in any bill with potential implications for the medical center.
“A minimum of 500 bills are introduced each session, and probably around 150 of these bills could affect UNMC,” Bartee said. “The legislative team helps UNMC stay ahead of the crunch, as bills are introduced and hearings are scheduled. It’s a productive process that has been in place for more than 10 years and helps us utilize the talents of our faculty and staff.
“I’m really grateful for how this team works together and analyzes the bills. It can be tedious work, but their input is critical in helping us be as proactive as possible in dealing with the legislative agenda.”
Bartee cited two members of the legislative team for their contributions — Steve Brown, budget analyst in business and finance, and John Adams, Ph.D., assistant vice chancellor for budget and planning.
“They really make a difference,” he said. “Their organization skills are outstanding. They are seasoned warriors who not only have a high knowledge level of the UNMC campus but also an equally strong understanding of the legislative and budget processes.
“Of all the bills introduced, we typically pick between 10 and 15 bills each session that are high priority to UNMC. The team provides valuable assistance to me, so that I can advise Ron Withem (associate vice president for university affairs and director of governmental relations for the University of Nebraska) and Central Administration on these bills.”
Having the support of others on campus is vital to UNMC being successful in the Legislative arena, Bartee said.
“It is extremely helpful to have numerous members of the UNMC community who are familiar with the legislative process and informed on public policy issues related to health,” he said.
The work is time consuming, but the members of the legislative team know their efforts can make a difference.
“Elected officials make decisions that affect our lives and the lives of our patients,” said Susan Boust, M.D., associate professor of psychiatry. “We need to send them information so they can understand our concerns. Making this effort is very important. Senators need to understand complex issues as quickly and completely as possible because they want to make a good decision. It takes time and effort to build these relationships.”
For Keith Mueller, Ph.D., associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Public Health, the legislative team is a benefit for the state and UNMC.
|
|
The UNMC Legislative Team mirrors the political advocacy process, said James Gigantelli, M.D., assistant dean of government relations in the College of Medicine.
“I am responsible for bills that have impact upon the College of Medicine,” he said. “The team makes certain that no bill will pass through the Legislature without our scrutiny and the cross-discussion of the many factions within UNMC’s community.
“Most importantly, the team represents a form of grassroots advocacy. The presence of the team insures that every member of the UNMC community has a direct or indirect voice in the state’s legislative process.”