APNA Advocacy
APNA actively supports health care reform. To do so, we work with and through a number of coalitions. Please explore the links below to learn how we are involved.
Coalitions
Advocacy tools for members, from the APNA Council for Mental Health Advocacy
2023
- 11/13 Signed onto Nursing Community Coalition letter to Congressional Leadership, as well as to House and Senate Appropriations Committees outlining updated FY 2024 funding requests including funding for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and the National Institute of Nursing Research.
- 10/31 Signed onto Nursing Community Coalition letter welcoming RDML Jennifer Moon as the new Chief Nurse Officer at the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
- 10/18 Signed onto Mental Health Liaison Group letter to the Senate supporting the Prevention of Adverse Childhood Experiences Act. The PACE Act will support critical efforts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent and mitigate adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) for five years and also support research to improve our understanding of ACEs and inform prevention efforts.
- 10/16 Signed onto Nursing Community Coalition letter to members of the House thanking them for introducing the Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act, a bipartisan effort to create parity in federal programs and support those current and future nurses who receive Nurse Corps funding.
- 10/10 Signed onto Nursing Community Coalition letter to Senators Merkley and Lummis thanking them for introducing the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act. This comprehensive effort will ensure patients, including those under Medicare and Medicaid, have access to the high-quality care provided by our nation’s APRNs.
- 9/18 Signed onto Nursing Community Coalition statement for the record for the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health hearing on, “VA’s Federal Supremacy Initiative: Putting Veterans First?” The NCC urged support for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists to practice to the full extent of their education and abilities within the VA.
- 7/24 Signed onto Nursing Community Coalition letter thanking Sen. Jeff Merkley and a bipartisan group of 11 cosponsors for introducing the Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act.
- 6/28 Signed onto Nursing Community Coalition letter thanking Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Mike Lawler, along with a bipartisan group of 21 original cosponsors, for introducing the United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act of 2023
- 6/20 Signed onto Nursing Community Coalition letter thanking House Nursing Caucus Co-Chairs and Vice Co-Chairs for introducing the I CAN Act
- 6/16 Signed onto Nursing Community Coalition letter thanking Representative Courtney and Senator Baldwin for introducing the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act
- 6/12 Signed onto Nursing Community Coalition letter thanking Congress for introducing the National Nursing Workforce Center Act
- 6/6 Signed onto American Association of Nurse Practitioner’s letter to Congress thanking them for support of the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act.
- 5/11 Signed onto National Partnership on Behavioral Health and Tobacco Use call to action letter encouraging states to limit the number of people getting disenrolled from Medicaid and losing access to healthcare, including quit-smoking treatment.
- 5/8 Signed onto Nursing Community Coalition letter urging Congress to take action on top appropriations and legislative priorities that impact nursing education, workforce, and research as we celebrate National Nurses Week 2023.
- 5/4 Signed onto Nursing Community Coalition letter supporting the introduction of the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act intended to retire outdated barriers in the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) that limit the ability of NPs to provide care and treatment for injured or ill federal employees.
- 3/20 Signed onto Nursing Community Coalition letter to leadership of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee applauding efforts to address health care workforce needs and in appreciation for the opportunity to provide solutions to support current and future nurses.
- 3/9 Signed onto Nursing Communuity Coalition letter to House and Senate leadership supporting the continuation of the impactful actions to patient
access to care during the Public Health Emergency (PHE) through various waivers and regulatory efforts, including but not limited to telehealth. - 3/6 Signed onto Nursing Commuinity Coaltion letter to House and Senate leadership of Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies requesting support of fundingfor Nursing Workforce Development Programs and the National Institute of Nursing Research in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024.
- 1/11 Nursing Community Coalition welcome letters to the House and Senate at the start of the 118th Congress outlining our shared priorities of investing in Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development programs, nursing research, and supporting our current and future nursing workforce.
2022
- 12/21 Signed onto letter of support for enhancing equity in 988 and other crisis services sent to HHS and SAMHSA.
- 12/16 Signed onto letter supporting SAMHSA funding for Providers Clinical Support System Medication Assisted Treatment (PCSS-MAT).
- 12/6 Nursing Community Coalition letters thanking nursing champions in Congress who are retiring or leaving Capitol Hill at the end of this year.
- 12/2 Nursing Community Coalition letter urging Congress to pass top legislative priorities addressing the needs of nursing education, practice, and research before the end of the 117th Congress.
- 11/21 Signed onto a group letter to the US House of Representatives in support of The Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act intended to increase patient access to care by removing outdated and unnecessary federal barriers on services provided by APRNs under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
- 11/18 Nursing Community Coalition letter urging the passage of the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act (S.4182) this Congress.
- 11/15 Nursing Community Coalition letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees requesting at least $324.472 million for Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and at least $208.571 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Omnibus.
- 9/26 Signed on to a Nursing Community Coalition letter urging Congress to pass top legislative priorities impacting our current and future nursing workforce before the end of the 117th Congress.
- 9/15 Signed on to a Nursing Community Coalition letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees requesting funds for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce and Development Programs and for the National Institute of Nursing Research.
- 9/14 Signed on to the Mental Health Liaison Group letter to the Senate Finance Committee urging them to advance the bipartisan Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 2021 that passed overwhelmingly in the U.S. House of Representatives in July.
- 8/23 Signed on to a Nursing Community Coalition letter urging the retention of Sec. 5103 honoring the contributions the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps made during World War II and recognizing these servicewomen for their dedication to our nation.
- 8/18 Signed on to a letter thanking Representatives Cheney and Dingell for their leadership of the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 2021.
- 7/28 Signed on to the Nursing Community Coalition letter supporting legislation that improves access to workers’ compensation for injured Federal workers.
- 7/15 Signed on to the Mental Health Liaison Group letter in support of the RISE from Trauma Act.
- 7/15 Signed on to the Mental Health Liaison Group letter in support of the Suicide Prevention Act.
- 5/6 Signed on to the Nursing Community Coalition letter urging Congress to take action on top legislative priorities that impact nursing education, practice, and research.
- 4/25 Signed on to the Nursing Community Coalition letter supporting the continuation of the actions to support patient access to care during the Public Health Emergency (PHE) through various waivers and regulatory efforts, including telehealth.
- 4/11 Signed on to the Nursing Community Coalition letters to the House and Senate Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies requesting support support of $530 million for the Nursing Workforce Development Programs (Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 296 et seq.]) and $210 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR, National Institutes of Health) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023.
- 3/18 Signed on to the Nursing Community Coalition letter welcoming to the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
- 2/18 Signed on to Mental Health Liaison Group letter for the 988 Implementation Act. The letter was sent to the seven original cosponsors’ offices.
- 2/7 Signed on to the Mental Health Liaison Group letter requesting that the House and Senate pass an FY2022 appropriations bill that includes increased funding for mental health and substance use services.
- 2/14 Signed on to the Nursing Community Coalition letters to the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees urging them to pass the United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act of 2021 this Congress.
- 1/31 Nursing Community Coalition letter of Congratulations to the Administrator of the Health Resources & Services Administration.
- 1/27 Signed on to letters to the House and Senate expressing concern about the recent modifications of the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) for clozapine and isotretinoin required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- 1/19 Nursing Community Coalition letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees requesting at least $314.472 million for Title VIII Nursing Workforce and Development Programs and at least $200.782 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022.
2021
- 12/20 Nursing Community Coalition letter urging Congress to take action to make waivers permanent beyond this Public Health Emergency (PHE).
- 11/19 Nursing Community Coalition letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees requesting at least $314.472 million for Title VIII Nursing Workforce and Development Programs and at least $200.782 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022.
- 11/18 Signed onto letter to the FDA expressing concerns about the implementation of the New Clozapine REMS (NCR).
- 10/29 Signed onto a nursing group letter to the Senate urging passage of the Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act.
- 10/8 Signed onto Mental Health Liaison Group letter to Senators Bennet and Cornyn and letter to Chairman Wyden and Ranking Member Crapo urging the extension of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act to Medicare, as well as to traditional Medicaid.
- 9/15 Signed on to letter to the FDA expressing concerns about the new Clozapine REMS and its impact on patient care along with recommendations.
- 9/14 Nursing Community Coalition letter to the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee urging them to support and advance United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act of 2021.
- 9/13 Signed on to letter to comment on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) CY 2022 Physician Fee Schedule focusing solely on the proposed audio-only modifier.
- 8/12 Nursing Community Coalition letter welcoming Dr. Meena Seshamani, who was recently selected to be the Deputy Administrator and Director of Center for Medicare at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
- 7/26 Nursing Community Coalition letter to Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, who was recently confirmed as the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use at the Department of Health and Human Services.
- 7/26 Nursing Community Coalition letter to Ms. Dawn O’Connell, who was recently confirmed as the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at at the Department of Health and Human Services.
- 6/23 Sixty members of the Nursing Community Coalition signed onto written testimony to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, featuring funding requests for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and the National Institute of Nursing Research.
- 6/22 Fifty-two members of the Nursing Community Coalition signed onto a letter to the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee urging them to support and advance the United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act of 2021 (S.1220/H.R.2568).
- 6/21 Nursing Community Coalition letter to Andrea Palm, who was recently confirmed as the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
- 6/21 Nursing Community Coalition letter to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, who was recently confirmed as the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
- 5/28 Nursing Community Coalition letters to Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), along with the bipartisan group of 40 original cosponsors, thanking them for introducing the United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act of 2021 (S.1220/H.R.2568).
- 5/11 Nursing Community Coalition letter to Mr. Martin Walsh, who was recently confirmed as the 29th Secretary for the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 5/6 Nursing Community Coalition testimony to House Appropriation Subcommittee in support of funding for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and the National Institute of Nursing Research.
- 3/31 Nursing Community Coalition letter to Congressional Leadership urging for consideration and passage of the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act (H.R. 1195).
- 3/25 Nursing Community Coalition letter of congratulations to the recently confirmed U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra.
- 3/16 Mental Health Liaison Group letter to House and letter to Senate members thanking them for introducing the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (H.R. 1667). This legislation will reduce and prevent suicide and improve conditions that may cause “burn out” in mental and behavioral health care providers.
- 3/16 Nursing Community Coalition letter to leadership for House and letter to leadership for Senate Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies in support of funding for Nursing Workforce Development programs and National Institute of Nursing Research.
- 3/3 Nursing Community Coalition letter of congratulations to recently confirmed U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough.
- 3/1 Letter regarding APNA Board of Directors comments on draft of 2021 National Task Force Standards and Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs, 6th Edition.
- 2/22 American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry coalition letter to leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of National Drug Control Policy supporting efforts to increase access to buprenorphine and reduce overdose rates including advocating for development of improved training platforms to replace waiver training prior to waiver elimination.
- 1/21 Nursing Community Coalition introductory letter to U.S. Senators and introductory letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives outlining key concerns such as continued investment in the workforce and research.
2020
- 11/13 Nursing Community Coalition introductory letter to President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris.
- 10/28 Mental Health Liaison Group letters to Governors (with insurance commissioners copied) requesting telemental health coverage for commercial plans remain through 2021. (Sent to states that do not have a telehealth mandate in place.)
- 9/30 Nursing Community Coalition letter to Congressional Leadership and key committees expressing support for the Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act (S.4396/H.R.7945) and encouraging its inclusion in the next COVID-19 legislative relief package.
- 9/22 Mental Health Liaison Group letter thanking Senators Kaine, Reed, Cassidy and Young for introducing the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act. intended to reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals.
- 9/11 Nursing Community Coalition letters to both the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee urging them to support and advance S.997/H.R.2056 – the United States Cadet Nurse Corps Recognition Act of 2019.
- 8/31 Nursing Community Coalition letter welcoming the new National Institute of Nursing Research’s (NINR) Director, Dr. Shannon Zenk.
- 8/18 Nursing Community Coalition letter to Congressional Leadership outlining again priorities for any COVID-19 legislative package working its way through Congress.
- 7/29 Nursing Community Coalition letter to Congressional Leadership outlining additional priorities for any COVID-19 legislative package working its way through Congress.
- 7/22 Mental Health Liaison Group letter to House Leadership and Chairman House Energy and Commerce Committee supporting the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act.
- 7/15 Nursing Community Coalition letter urging CMS to continue to remove barriers to practice and ensure that patients have access to high quality nursing care by extending, and making permanent, waivers beyond this Public Health Emergency(PHE).
- 6/22 letter to Senate Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations from Nursing Community Coalition regarding increased funding for Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and the National Institute of Nursing Research.
- 6/17 Mental Health Liaison Group letter to House Leadership and Chairman House Energy and Commerce Committee urging them to bring the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act up for a vote under suspension for standalone passage.
- 5/19 Letter to the President from nursing organizations requesting resources to address the psychological impacts of COVID-19.
- Community Statement on the Integral Role of Oral and Dental Health Care in Protecting Americans from Viral Pandemics from Nursing Community Coalition in support of oral and dental health care as protection against viruses.
- 5/18 Nursing Community Coalition letter to Vice President Pence, Secretary Wilkie, and Executive Stone asking for removal of barriers to practice and allow for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to practice to the full extent of their education and abilities, especially as our nation combats COVID-19.
- 4/28 Letter to Congressional leaders from Nursing Community Coalition thanking them for their work to combat COVID-19 and outlining additional priorities for future legislative packages during the national emergency.
- 3/25 Letter to Congressional leaders from Mental Health Liaison Group regarding lifting restrictions on telebehavioral health during the national emergency.
- 3/19 Letter to Congressional leaders from Nursing Community Coalition naming shared priorities in the COVID-19 legislative package under consideration.
- 3/6 Organizational response letter commenting on American Nursing Association’s work in seeking Ethical Environments and Patient and Personal Safety.
- 3/2 Letter to House and Senate Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations regarding support of Nursing Workforce Development programs.
- 2/28 Letter to Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs from Nursing Community Coalition supporting the United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act of 2019.
- 2/14 Letter to the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission from the Mental Health Liaison Group supporting the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018, in order to identify a three digit number dedicated to suicide and other mental health crises.
- 1/20 Mental Health Liaison Group Letter to Representatives Bilirakis and Engel, supporting the Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act of 2019, which would help address the growing epidemic of suicides in the United States by improving the identification, assessment and treatment of patients in emergency departments who are at high risk of suicide.
- 1/17 Letter to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from Nursing Community Coalition responding to a request for feedback on Scope of Practice.
- 1/16 Organizational response letter commenting on current Medicare regulations that limit providers’ scopes of practice.
- 1/13 Organizational response letter commenting on Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Proposed Standards for Accreditation of Nurse Practitioner Residency/Fellowship Programs.
