This week, a group of nearly 20 Asante leaders traveled to Salem to engage with legislators. Over the course of one day, the group met with 14 legislators and their staff, including members of the House Committee on Health Care. A House Floor Session and a public House Health Care Hearing was a live look at how laws are advocated for and made.
These conversations allowed us the opportunity to provide on-the-ground context and highlight the experiences of the communities we serve, as well as to hopefully support informed policymaking.
“Going to Salem and representing Asante was an incredible experience. We were able to discuss with our lawmakers some of the challenges we face, as well as highlight the great work we do to support health care in our community,” shares Rob Koning, Director, Nursing, Critical Care, Rogue Regional Medical Center.
One thing rang true: Asante showed up with passion and made southern Oregon’s voice heard. Our goal was to ensure decisionmakers have a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead. We appreciated the opportunity to contribute to this important dialogue and will continue engaging with lawmakers.
Asante’s Chief Public Affairs Officer, Kristen Roy and Sam Kaufman, Director, Nursing, Emergency Department gave public testimony during the House Health Care Hearing.
“I was encouraged to see complex health care issues brought forward for public hearing and appreciate Representative Emily McIntire for advancing HB 4074 for discussion. Thoughtful dialogue is essential, and policy decisions must ultimately strengthen our workforce, protect patient access and uphold the highest standards of safety and quality. I recognize the complexity of these decisions and the responsibility they carry,” says Robert White, Chief Nursing Officer, Three Rivers Medical Center.
Moving forward, our team is committed to providing data, stories and expertise to support informed decision‑making. We’re appreciative of the time of each legislator who met with us and look forward to continuing meaningful dialogue around this topic.
“It was an educating and engaging experience to see our legislative process in action. The level of caring and advocacy for our community’s health care was palpable through thoughtful testimony, coupled with the willingness to hear the challenges from our senators and representatives, and ultimately a passion for providing safe care. It was an honor to represent Asante at the capital,” says Michele Strickland, Director and Chief Nursing Information Officer.
We’re grateful for our fellow Oregon health systems and organizations—Providence, Sky Lakes, Kaiser and Hospital Association of Oregon—for their support and voice alongside us in Salem. In addition, we thank Representative Emily McIntire for her advocacy of southern Oregon and Representative Rob Nosse (Chair) for scheduling the hearing on this important topic.
This visit reinforced our commitment to elevating local voices in statewide decisions. Our team remains excited and committed to supporting informed policymaking throughout the 2026 session and beyond.
“AsanteIMPACT’s advocacy work in Salem brought the human experience and real-life impacts to the center of every discussion. The efforts connected legislators with the real people and real challenges behind southern Oregon’s health care landscape, bringing a meaningful, personal voice to the issues we face. I’m grateful not only for their holistic, relationship‑driven approach, but also for the opportunity to be part of this work as we move into a new era of collaboration and shared conversation.”
– Jessica Ginet, Director, Human Resources
“I’ve always lived by the belief that you’ve got to be present to win. Asante has made a commitment to our patients, our community and our employees to provide the highest quality health care possible. The Asante presence and in-person representation at our State Capitol this week went a long way to ensure that our voices are heard and that decisions being made at that level represent what is best in the long term for health care in southern Oregon. I am very proud to be part of such a driven and thoughtful team that is willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish our goals.”
– Ben Lytle, Manager, Security
“Going into the capitol building felt like stepping into a different world for the day. It was so rewarding to have our nursing voices heard in the political arena.”
– Stacey Snyder, Director, Nursing, Surgery, Family Birth Center and Nursing Operations, Three Rivers Medical Center
“Even though HB 4074 didn’t move forward that day, I truly believe this was the start of something important. If we hadn’t gone now, the effort might never have begun. We laid the groundwork, built relationships and showed up with professionalism and heart. That matters.”
– Katie Forester, Director, Nursing Operations, Rogue Regional Medical Center
