Advocacy: the time for involvement is now

The American Hospital Association has targeted 1994 for its national advocacy campaign, which is called "Health Care '94: Shaping Tomorrow Today." Health care educators have an important opportunity to participate in the AHA advocacy efforts and to play a role on the local level, perhaps by assisting their institutional campaigns. In order to be effective, they must be (1) informed about national issues and reform efforts, and (2) committed to participating. This article summarizes actions taken in the first half of 1994 and offers options for educators to consider in expanding their own roles in the advocacy effort.