JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — David Hale left the Missouri Hospital Association (MHA) earlier this summer after over 9 years as their vice president of state legislation.
Jane Drummond joined the MHA team weeks ago as vice president of legal affairs/general counsel and has registered as a lobbyist for the association. Dummond formerly served as director and as general counsel to the Department of Health and Senior Services. She was a partner at Schreimann, Rackers, Francka & Blunt for 5 years after leaving HSS. Before HHS, Drummond served as general counsel to Gov. Matt Blunt.
She joins a team of 12 other MHA staff dedicated to governmental relations. The association has 16 registered lobbyists at the moment, in and out of house. At MHA, Hale was responsible for state outreach programs, managing the MHA political action fund, and providing legislative analysis for lobbying and their annual legislative guide.
The MHA is considered one of the loudest and most influential voices in the legislature on the issues of Medicaid expansion. The struggle to move the issue forward in Missouri has been a source of frustration for MHA.
MHA and Healthcare Services Group were the only clients Hale has registered as a lobbyist for. Both clients were dropped in June.
The association is the one of the largest lobbying organizations in the state, ranking 2nd amongst lobbying efforts. In the last 24 months, thanks to a protracted Medicaid fight, MHA has given over 650 gifts to legislators and staff, valued at over $75,000. In the past 10 years, MHA has given over 4,000 gifts valued at almost $400,000. Most of their gifts have been reported as gifts to the entire legislature, chamber, or committee for receptions or dinners.
Before MHA, Hale served as director of communications for the majority caucus for the senate and as director of communications for Kinder’s 2004 campaign for Lt. Governor.
Daniel Landon is still serving as the senior vice president of governmental affairs.
Rachael Herndon was the editor at The Missouri Times and also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. She joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.
