Health Policy & Advocacy
HPAC Projects
Support nursing within the Nursing Community
Support cancer research, prevention, and education with One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC)
Support State Legislation to prohibit tanning bed use by Children with The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network ACS CAN
Support The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association SUNucate
Indiana and Maryland become first states to pass sunscreen law in 2018.
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association introduced model sunscreen legislation in 2016. The program and model bill are dubbed SUNucate and the purpose is to allow children to bring sunscreen to school without a doctor’s prescription or note. Because sunscreen is classified as an over-the-counter drug by the FDA, children in many school districts across the country are required to bring a prescription from a physician in order to possess or use sunscreen at their school or camp.
To date, nine states have been successful in getting their bills passed. Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Ohio, Utah, and Washington passed legislation in 2017. So far in 2018, Indiana and Maryland passed bills.
DNA members have been involved in advocating for this legislation. If your state has a bill in the pipeline we urge you to get involved. If your state is not among the active ones and you would like to learn how to go about getting a bill introduced, the Health Policy and Advocacy Committee can help guide you. Contact the Chair, Maura Flynn or any of the members via email at: dna@dnanurse.org
You may track news and progress by following the SUNucate blog at: https://sunucate.org/
HPAC Purpose and Objectives
To promote awareness within the DNA of issues and concerns in the area of Health Policy and Advocacy that assists DNA and it’s members to achieve their strategic goal of effectively advocating for members, patients, and the general public by:
1. Increasing membership involvement and understanding in health policy and advocacy efforts.
2. Acting as a resource for information on issues related to health policy and advocacy.
3. Working with members to investigate, consider, report, and act on advocacy issues commensurate with DNA’s Strategic plan.
4. Facilitating membership awareness, discussions, and activities.
News Highlights
Majority of Americans Want Congress to Increase Medical Research Funding; Oppose President's Proposed NIH Budget Cuts
Ninety Percent of Voters Say Funding Medical Research is "Very" or "Extremely" Important! DNA and our advocacy partners at OVAC (One Voice Against Cancer) agree! Continue funding for cancer research and cancer prevention.
Read more in this press release:
OVAC Poll Release 2017
News Archives
HPAC Members
| Maura A. Flynn, RN, MPP, DNC, Chair | Katrina Masterson, RN, DNP, FNP-BC, DCNP |
| Casey E. Barker, BSN, RN, DNC | Sue A. McCann, MSN, RN, DNC |
| Brian Coleman, RN | Kay Nannet, RNC, NP, DCNP |
| Karen Fairbrother, BSN, CDE, DNC | Jessica Simmons, MSN, APN, FNP-C, CWON, DNC |
| Angela Hamilton, FNP-C | Nancy Smail, RN |
| Nina V. MacDonald, RN BScN, DNC | |
Advocacy Toolkit
The DNA's Health Policy and Advocacy Committee has partnered with Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP to assemble documents that you can use as a tool to have your voice heard by your local legislation and Washington, DC. We hope this "toolkit" serves as an additional resource for DNA members to better advocate on behalf of their patients. Click on any of the following links to view the resources / templates available for use:
Health Policy Resources
Sample Hill Letter - Title VIII Programs
Sample Letter to the Editor - NP Scope of Practice
Sample Talking Points - UV Treatment Access
Sample Testimony - Indoor Tanning Ban for Minors
Top Ten Tips for Calling Your Members of Congress
Top Ten Tips for Effectively Using a Town Hall Meeting
Top Ten Tip for Writing to Elected Officials
The DNA Advocacy Toolkit was funded through a grant from Stiefel, a GSK company.