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

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.

HPAC Members

Below is a summary of the Nursing Community Coalition’s (NCC) activity for the month of August.

Thank You Letter to Senator Merkley for Introducing Title VIII Funding Amendment
The Nursing Community Coalition thanked Senator Merkley for introducing an amendment to the Senate LHHS-ED Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2019 that would increase spending for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs. Senators Duckworth, Booker, Menendez, Kaine, and Van Hollen (who supported the amendment) were also thanked for their support and commitment to advancing nursing education and practice.

Senate Request Letter on Opioid Package
Forty-six organizations signed on to a letter urging for the inclusion of Section 3003, Allowing for More Flexibility with Respect to Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders, of the House-passed SUPPORT for Families and Communities Act (H.R. 6), in any final Senate opioid package. Section 3003 of H.R. 6 provides a permanent authorization for nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe Medication-Assisted Treatments (MATs) to those suffering from opioid addictions and creates a five-year authorization for the other three APRN groups (certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse-midwives, and clinical nurse specialists) to do the same.

Letter to HHS Secretary Azar
The Nursing Community Coalition sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar applauding his remarks on the need to examine scope of practice laws in order to evaluate state and local regulations that restrict APRN practice authority. The letter additionally requested a meeting with officials from HHS to discuss scope of practice issues further.

Letter to VA Secretary Wilkie
Forty-four organizations signed on to a letter welcoming Robert Wilkie as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The letter also includes language surrounding the coalition’s position on the recent VA rule which allows APRNs to practice to the full extent of their education and clinical training, which excluded certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). The coalition hopes to work with the VA to change this rule to give CRNAs parity with the other APRN groups and allow them to provide care within VA facilities to the full extent of their clinical training.

Meetings
The NCC held their monthly meeting on August 7, 2018 with 27 NCC organizations in attendance.

For more information on the Nursing Community please visit: www.thenursingcommunity.org

News Archives

Past Advocacy Articles

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.