As you are aware, HomeTown conducts policymaker tours each summer. Many of you may wonder what this is all about. The purpose is to educate policymakers on issues, improvements, and opportunities that they need to be aware of as they enter into the next legislative session. Perceptions and impressions are critical so as you read this report by Chairman England to his constituency, you can see what impressions you have made on him for the many trips that he has made into your hospitals. HomeTown is proud of its initiatives over the years to conduct these trips and certainly on your behalf the impressions that rural hospitals and health care have on legislators, 150 policymaker visits over twelve years. While Chairman England wrote this constituency report, it is important to remember that he also invited Representative Matt Hatchett, Representative Penny Houston, Senator Jack Hill, Martha Wigton the House Budget Office Director, and the House Budget Analysts Michael Polacek to participate at various points in the tour as well. This is an incredible venture to get four senior chairmen to participate on a tour like this.
