Health Policy and Advocacy

​ Committee

​Empowered to Advocate, Prepared to Lead

Favour Nwozor
​Director
Stephens College School of Health Sciences
Columbia, MO

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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. 

    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
    2025 NSNA Advocacy Education Day
    Friday, September 19, 2025, 1:00-3:30 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. Rachel Culpepper, Board of Directors – Region 5, American Organization for Nursing Leadership
    • Dr. Alison Hernandez, Senior Policy Advisor, Regulatory and Advocacy, American Nurses Association
    • Tom Harrington, Associate, State Affairs, Government Affairs, National Council of State Boards of Nursing
    • Kyla Mesa, NSNA Director and Chair, Health Policy and Advocacy Committee
    • D. Ryan Barrett, NSNA President

    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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