“Fiscal cliff aftermath: Fights loom on spending cuts, debt ceiling”
“Illinois pension problem punted to incoming General Assembly”
“Former Representative Giffords visits town of school shooting”
These recent, yet very different, headlines seem to instinctively generate a similar response: Something needs to be done. As the fiscal cliff loomed, as the Illinois General Assembly went into their lame duck session, as we first heard of the tragic news from Newtown, Connecticut… how many Illinoisans actually contacted our state or federal legislators to voice our personal concerns?
It’s human nature to procrastinate or wait to become passionate about an issue until we are personally affected. Yet to achieve the changes we wish to see, including leading the transformation of the future of health care, we must speak out. And while we are your voice in Springfield and Washington, the collective voice of the quarter of a million Illinoisans who work in hospitals amplifies our efforts tremendously.
I offer my thanks to all of our hospital members who have been strong advocates in the past. As we begin a new year, let’s all resolve to be more accountable as Americans and to hold our elected officials accountable as well. Our civic duty doesn’t end at the ballot box.
Imagine the impact of tens of thousands of individuals wanting bipartisan, practical resolutions to our state and federal budget problems and other serious societal issues. Our members alone can make a tremendous difference.
Whatever your opinion may be, make sure your voice is heard in 2013.
