Health Policy and Advocacy

​ Committee

​Advocating for the Future

Reagann McVay
Director
The University of Tennessee at Martin
Martin, TN
Memos
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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. 
Hey, y’all! My name is Reagann McVay, and I am so excited to serve as the Health Policy and Advocacy Committee Chair! Along with myself, Ryan Barrett and Andrew Kim also serve on the Health Policy and Advocacy Committee. Please check out the committee’s upcoming webinars:
 
NSNA Advocacy Education Day is Friday, September 20, 2024.
Join us as we engage with national leaders in health policy to learn and understand how important nursing students are to shaping healthcare in our nation! We will also promote the Get Out the Vote campaign during this webinar. This webinar is a great resource to prepare for the upcoming election by encouraging voter participation and explaining the importance of healthcare representation!
 
The Get Out the Vote Award will be awarded to one state ($100) and one school chapter ($100) that increases the number of people registered to vote and assists students who are not in their home state to obtain absentee ballots.

Read full Fall 2024 Memo here ...

Get Out the Vote

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The nursing profession has developed into politically savvy group, and legislators listen to us. An excellent way to cultivate political awareness is participating in the electoral process. Legislators will pay closer attention to us when we can demonstrate that nurses and nursing students are showing up at the polls. It is our duty and right as United States citizens to vote and 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.
 
Voter registration opportunities expanded significantly with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. This Act also called 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 Stamps 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.
Image Courtesy of Congress.gov
Health Policy and Advocacy Resources
2024 NSNA Advocacy Education Day
Friday, November 20, 2024, 3:00-5:30 pm EDT
Interact and engage with national leaders in health policy to learn and understand how important nursing students are to shaping the landscape of healthcare in our nation.

Speakers:

  • Dr. Rebecca Patton, President, ANA-Ohio
  • Samuel Hewitt, Director, Congressional & Political Advocacy, American Nurses Association
  • Nicole Livanos, Director, State Affairs, National Council of State Boards of Nursing
  • Reagann McVay, NSNA Director and Chair, Health Policy and Advocacy Committee

Health Policy and Advocacy Resources

​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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