The Policy and Advocacy Committee evaluates issues of interest and importance to MHA's members and makes proactive recommendations for strategic policy positions and the MHA legislative agenda to the board of directors. The committee also provides a forum for discussion and evaluation of non-MHA legislative proposals.

Members of the 2008 Policy and Advocacy Committee include the following individuals:

• Chair: Margaret E. Perryman, President, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, St. Paul
• Lynn Abrahamsen, Administrator, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis
• Kendall C. Bank, President, Northfield Hospital
• Geoff Bartsh, Director of Government Relations, HealthPartners, Bloomington
• David J. Borgert, Government Relations, St. Cloud Hospital
• Dr. Mary E. Braddock, Medical Director, Center for Care Innovation and Research, Children's Hospitals & Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis/St. Paul
• Rick Breuer, CEO & Administrator, Community Memorial Hospital, Cloquet
• Geraldine F. Burmeister, CEO & Administrator, Windom Area Hospital
• Jason Carlson, Chief Executive Officer, Kittson Memorial Healthcare Center, Hallock
• Sara Criger, President, Minnesota Valley Care System, Fairview Ridges Hospital, Burnsville
• Jason T. Douglas, Chief Executive Officer, Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center, Moose Lake
• Mary Edwards, Vice President, Public Policy, Fairview Health Services, Minneapolis
• Michael P. Harristhal, V.P., Public Policy & Strategy, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis
• Keith Harvey, Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Regional Medical Center
• Michael D. Hedrix, Vice President, Acute Care Operations, Benedictine Health System, Cambridge
• Jo Ann Hoag, Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer, St. Luke's Hospital, Duluth
• Frank Iossi, Director State Government Relations, Mayo Clinic Rochester
• Peter Jacobson, Lake Region Healthcare Corporation, Fergus Falls
• Todd Johnson, Corporate VP, Public Policy & Gov't. Relations, Allina Hospitals & Clinics, Minneapolis
• Margaret Kalina, Director, Patient Care Services, Douglas County Hospital, Alexandria
• Frank Lawatsch, Chief Executive Officer, Swift County-Benson Hospital
• Mary B. Maertens, Chief Executive Officer, Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center
• Michael J. Mahoney, Vice President, Government Affairs, Essential Health, Duluth
• Jan Malcolm, Chief Executive Officer, Courage Center, Golden Valley
• Dennis C. Miley, Administrator, Tri-County Hospital, Wadena
• Steven L. Perkins, Chair, Board of Directors, Sanford Hospital Luverne
• Stephen J. Pribyl, Chief Administrative Officer, Fairmont Medical Center - Mayo Health System
• Mark A. Skubic, Vice President, Government Relations, Park Nicollet Health Services, Minneapolis
• Kevin J. Smith, Chief Executive Officer, North Valley Health Center, Warren
• Gary Strong, Chief Operating Officer, Fairview Health Services, Minneapolis
• Thomas R. Thompson, President & CEO, St. Mary's Regional Health Center, Detroit Lakes
• Randy Ulseth, Chief Executive Officer, Kanabec Hospital, Mora
• Carl Vaagenes, President & CEO, St. Gabriel's Hospital, Little Falls
• Pennie Viggiano, System Director, Government Populations, HealthEast Care System, St. Paul
• Guests: Megan M. Cox, Allina Hospitals & Clinics, Minneapolis; Lee Greenfield, Hennepin Co. Health & Soc. Services Policy Center, Minneapolis; and Anna Thompson, Public Policy Coordinator, Allina Hospitals & Clinics, Minneapolis
• Staff: Mary Krinkie, Vice President, Government Relations, Minnesota Hospital Association, St. Paul