June 04, 2010 01:47am EST 

First founded as the Hospital Association of Hawaii (HAH) in 1939, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii changed its name in 1987 following its merge with the Hawaii Nursing Home Association in 1974.  HAH is a non-profit organization that represents and advocates for Hawaii’s healthcare providers.  After the Home Care Association of Hawaii merged with HAH in 2001, HAH stood as the only association in the nation representing the entire continuum of care.  HAH now represents all of the acute hospitals, two-thirds of the long term care beds, home care agencies and hospices, as well as community based providers, supporting organizations, and affiliate and associate members which provide services and supplies to the industry, all for the benefit of the patients and citizens of the state of Hawaii.
HAH’s primary mission is to represent and advocate for their member hospitals, health systems, and health care of Hawaiians with Congress, the state legislature, government agencies and departments, media, and the public.  One of their largest efforts involved increasing the amount of individuals with health care insurance and educating decision makers on the need for adequate payments to providers to cover he cost of expensive health care.  HAH’s advocacy at the state and federal levels involve supporting legislation that is in the collective interests of its members and patients.  Additionally, HAH works to ensure that laws and regulations provide a reasonable, equitable, and simplified environment in which all Hawaiian health care facilities can provide high quality and affordable health care.  Their member participation in the Government Relations Committee (GRC) has helped HAH with their advocacy power, as well as their close relationships with elected and appointed officials and other health care associations.
Visit the Healthcare Association of Hawaii’s website here for more information, news, publications, and membership.