Health Policy and Advocacy

​ Committee

(Formerly named the Legislation Education Committee)

Educate to Advocate

Stephanie Bell
Director
University of Nevada
​Las Vegas, NV
Connect on Social Media
Seasonal Memos​

What is the Role of the Health Policy and Advocacy Committee?

The committee is responsible for engaging members in the implementation of resolutions related to health policy and advocacy. NSNA is not a lobbying organization: NSNA informs and teaches members about health policy and advocacy. 

Stephanie Bell, Director and Chair,
​Health Policy and Advocacy Committee Winter/Spring Memo


​Hello, NSNA Members!
 
I hope your year is off to a great start and that all of your classes and clinical experiences are going well. I am delighted to report that our committee has accomplished several of its goals so far this term, while successfully integrating several select resolutions. Again, our theme for this year is “Educate to Advocate,” and we aim to make health policy more approachable so that each member feels empowered to make and/or advocate for policy change, whether at your place of work or the city, state or national level.
 
To begin, for those chapters just beginning a Health Policy and Advocacy committee, or if you need some step-by-step guidance on how to organize, plan, and proceed, please see our Guidelines to Planning document. Furthermore, you can find useful information and resources on our committee page. We also recommend reviewing the NSNA Resolutions.

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Get Out the Vote
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It is our duty and right as United States citizens to vote, and it is our obligation as future professionals to monitor health and public assistance programs, funding for nursing education, and equal rights for all citizens of the United States. An excellent way to begin cultivating political awareness is by participating in the electoral process. The nursing profession has developed political savvy, and legislators listen to us. Legislators will pay closer attention to us when we can demonstrate that nurses and nursing students are showing up at the polls.
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Voter registration opportunities expanded significantly with thepassage of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. This act also referred to as the "Motor Voter," allows people to register to vote when they apply for or renew a driver's license. Also, the Act requires states to offer voter registration to citizens at state‐funded service agencies (i.e., food stamp and Medicaid offices), unemployment compensation offices, public schools and public libraries. All states must also accept and use the mail‐in voter registration forms. Go to https://www.justice.gov/crt/about-national-voter-registration-act for more information on the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.​ Read More...

Congress.gov
​Understanding policy overall is critical to understanding the nuances of healthcare policy.  Members can go to www.congress.gov to look up bills in the House of Representatives and Senate.  On Congress.gov members can review current legislative activities and complete congressional records. Those interested can also learn about bill sponsors, the status of a bill, and obtain full content of a bill. For more information please visit www.congress.gov.
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Image Courtesy of Congress.gov
A Hot Topic: Climate and Nursing
Dr. Barbara Sattler, Professor
University of San Francisco, San Francisco, California
Plenary Session - April 6, 2018
66th Annual Convention - Nashville, Tennessee

Health Policy and Advocacy Resources

In this video Adam Halvorsen, former NSNA Director, urges all nursing students to get out and vote.
​Click below to learn the basics of Health Policy and Advocacy Activities.
 
​Below are links to useful resources when planning Health Policy and Advocacy education activities:
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