Policy News

The Academy serves the public and the nursing profession by advancing health policy and practice through the generation, synthesis, and dissemination of nursing knowledge. Fellows leverage their expertise to provide the critical knowledge, and analysis, summary, and integration for transforming health policy and practice. The Academy advances evidence based innovations in health care delivery to address the health needs of populations, including diverse, at-risk, and disenfranchised populations.

In 2006, the Academy established a Washington, DC, office in keeping with the Academy's strategic goals and recognizing the pivotal role of public policy in reforming American health care. The Washington office is the focal point for identifying key policy issues in which the Academy can mobilize its Fellows along with strategic partner organizations to support the Academy's policy agenda and affect change.

Outreach to policymakers in Congress and the Administration and collaboration with key national stakeholders shape policy and ensure that nurses' solutions are integrated into a quality health care system.

Academy Letters, Comments, & Testimony on Key Policy Issues

2023

• November 15: The American Academy of Nursing Calls for Swift Action to Support Vital Humanitarian Aid
• November 13: The Academy, along with 62 members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) sent a letter to Congressional Leadership, as well as to House and Senate Appropriations Committees, requesting at least $302.472 million for Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and at least $197.693 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) in fiscal year (FY) 2024, as outlined in the Senate Appropriations Committee passed bill. Read more.
• November 6: The Academy submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the proposed rule on Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting. The Academy's comments highlighted considerations for improving the registered nurse (RN) on-site requirement, establishing nurse staffing standards, transparency of Medicaid nursing home information, and provisions on strengthening facility assessment requirements. The Academy’s Aging Expert Panel contributed to the development of this comment letter. Read more.
• November 3: The Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science (CANS) and the Academy sent a letter to the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) regarding their request for information on advancing nursing research in climate and health. The Academy's Environmental & Public Health Expert Panel and the CANS Science Committee contributed to the development of the response. Read more.
• October 18: The Academy, along with other APRN organizations, sent a letter to the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury, in response to a request for information regarding the promulgation of a regulation on provider nondiscrimination (2706(a) of the Public Health Service Act). Read more.
• October 16: The Academy, along with 57 members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), joined a letter to Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Brian Higgins (D-NY-26), Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), and Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), thanking them for introducing the bipartisan Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act of 2023 (H.R.5080). Read more.
• October 13: The Academy joined an amicus brief along with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other health care organizations in support of a challenge to the decision by the Florida Medical Board to restrict access to gender-affirming care for adolescents. Read more.
• October 10: The Academy, along with 61 members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), joined a letter thanking Senate Nursing Caucus Co-Chair, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), for introducing the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act (S.2418). Read more.
• September 26: The Academy joined an amicus brief along with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other health care organizations challenging the state of Indiana's legislation limiting access to gender-affirming care to those under the age of 18. Read more.
• September 18: The Academy, along with 47 members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), joined a statement for record for the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health hearing, “VA’s Federal Supremacy Initiative: Putting Veterans First?” The statement urged support for removing barriers to practice and allowing Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to practice to the full extent of their education and abilities within the VA. Read more.
• September 11: The Academy submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the proposed rule on the calendar year (CY) 2024 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). The Academy's comments highlighted considerations for the proposed caregiver training services, social determinants of health risk assessment, and provisions on telehealth services. Read more.
• September 11: The Academy, along with 9 other members of the APRN Workgroup, joined a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the proposed rule on the calendar year (CY) 2024 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). The APRN Workgroup's comments discussed telehealth, policies addressing social determinants of health, and updated billing codes. Read more.
• September 11: The Academy, along with 59 other health care organizations, joined a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the proposed rule on the calendar year (CY) 2024 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). The comments offered support for the proposal to pay for caregiver training services in the PFS. Read more. 
• August 11: The Academy joined an amicus brief along with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other health care organizations challenging the state of Texas's legislation limiting access to gender-affirming care to individuals under the age of eighteen. Read more.
• August 10: The Academy joined an amicus brief along with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other health care organizations challenging the state of Tennessee's legislation limiting access to gender-affirming care to individuals under the age of eighteen. Read more.
• August 1: The Academy, along with 50 members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), sent a letter to Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) thanking them for introducing the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (H.R.3305/S.1606). The Momnibus Act provides a multipronged approach to addressing maternal health in the United States and improving maternal health outcomes, particularly among Black mothers. Read more.
• July 25: The Academy joined an amicus brief along with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other health care organizations challenging the state of Idaho's legislation limiting access to gender-affirming care to individuals under the age of eighteen. Read more.
• July 24: The Academy, along with 55 members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), joined a letter to Sen. Jeff Merkley and a bipartisan group of 11 cosponsors thanking them for introducing the Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act (S.1446). This bill aims for parity between the Nurse Corps and other federal programs such as the National Health Service Corps by ensuring that the Nurse Corps is not subject to federal taxes. Read more.
• July 3: The Academy joined an amicus brief along with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other health care organizations challenging the state of Georgia's legislation limiting access to gender-affirming care to individuals under the age of eighteen. Read more.
• June 28: The Academy, along with fifty-nine members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), joined a letter to Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Mike Lawler, along with a bipartisan group of 21 original cosponsors, thanking them for introducing the United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act of 2023 (S.1633/ H.R. 3428). Read more.
• June 23: The Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science (CANS) and the Academy sent a letter to the NIH Center for Scientific Review regarding the proposed changes to the peer review process for the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) fellowship applications. Read more.
• June 20: The Academy, along with fifty-eight members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), signed onto a letter thanking Congressional leaders for introducing the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act (H.R. 2713). Read more.
• June 16: The Academy, along with fifty-five members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), signed onto a letter thanking Congressional leaders for introducing the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act (H.R.2663/S.1176). Read more.
• June 16: The Academy submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights regarding the HIPAA Privacy Rule To Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy proposed rule. The proposed rule would strengthen protections for persons seeking, obtaining, providing, or facilitating reproductive health care that is lawful under the circumstances in which it is provided by prohibiting disclosures of protected health information (PHI) for criminal, civil, or administrative investigations or proceedings against individuals for such care. Fellows from the Expert Panels on Bioethics; Child, Adolescent, and Family; Informatics and Technology; Trauma and Violence; and Women’s Health contributed to the development of these comments. Read more.
• June 12: The Academy, along with fifty-four members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), joined a letter thanking Congressional leaders for introducing the National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2023 (H.R.2411/S.1150). This legislation would offer an important step forward to collect additional data on needs within the nursing workforce. Read more.
• June 9: The Academy joined an amicus brief along with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other health care organizations challenging the state of Oklahoma's legislation limiting access to gender-affirming care to individuals under the age of eighteen. Read more.
• June 6: The Academy signed onto a letter to the leaders of the House Committees on Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce urging the passage of the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act (H.R. 2713). This bill would increase patient access to care by removing federal barriers to services provided by advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Read more.
• May 18: The Academy signed onto a letter thanking President Biden for prioritizing efforts to support family caregivers through Executive Order 14095 and urging him to turn the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers from the bipartisan RAISE Family Caregivers Act (H.R.3759/S.1028) into meaningful action by ensuring federal agencies follow through on their commitments. Read more. 
• May 12: The Academy joined an amicus brief along with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other health care organizations challenging the state of Kentucky’s legislation removing access to gender-affirming care. Read more.
• May 8: The Academy, along with members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) signed onto a letter urging Congress to take action on top appropriations and legislative priorities that impact nursing education, workforce, practice, and research. Read more.
• May 4: The Academy, along with members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) signed onto a letter to Members of Congress commending their support of S.131/H.R. 618, the Improving Access to Workers Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act. This bipartisan legislation would 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. Read more.
• May 1: The Academy joined an amicus brief along with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and other health care organizations supporting the appeal of the District Court in Texas ruling of Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA. The district court ruling would prevent the distribution of mifepristone around the country. Read more.
• April 28: The Academy joined an amicus brief along with the American Academy of Pediatrics and other health care organizations in support of a challenge to a Florida Medicaid rule limiting access to gender-affirming medical care. The rule denies Medicaid recipients in Florida with gender dysphoria access to evidence-based treatments designed to improve health outcomes and alleviate suffering. Read more.
• April 23: The Academy joined an amicus brief along with the American Academy of Pediatrics and other health care organizations in support of a challenge to the decision by the Florida Medical Board to restrict access to gender-affirming care for adolescents. Read more.
• April 19: The Academy signed onto letters to the House and Senate Appropriations leaders asking them to provide $35 million for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), $25 million for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and $1 million for the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to conduct public health research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention in fiscal year 2024. Read more.
• April 14: The Academy joined an amicus brief along with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and other health care organizations to the United States Supreme Court that would prevent the District Court in Texas decision on Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA from being enforced as the court case moved through the legal system. Read more.
• April 11: The Academy joined an amicus brief along with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and other health care organizations supporting the appeal of the District Court ruling of Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA. The district court ruling would prevent the distribution of mifepristone around the country. Mifepristone is a drug approved by the FDA over two decades ago for use in reproductive care. Should the ruling be upheld, it could set up future challenges to FDA’s scientific and evidence-based process for drug approval. Read more.
• April 10: The Academy joined a letter to Congress recommending $20 million in funding for FY 2024 for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding program. Read more.
• April 4: The Academy, along with members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) signed onto written testimony submitted to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies. The testimony featured funding requests of at least $530 million for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and at least $210 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research for Fiscal Year 2024. Read more.
• April 3: The Academy, along with seven members of the APRN Workgroup, sent a letter to the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor (DOL), and Treasury (USDT) urging them to begin the rulemaking process on section 2706(a) of the Public Health Service Act. Section 2706 prohibits private health plans from discriminating against qualified licensed healthcare professionals based on their licensure. Without an enforceable rule in place, discrimination against health care providers will continue to occur. Read more.
• March 31: The Academy, along with eleven members of the APRN Workgroup, sent a letter to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) requesting the regulatory waivers in place during the COVID-19 public health emergency be made permanent. These waivers not only have enabled APRNs to practice at the top of their licensure but also align with the six strategic pillars in CMS’s strategic plan. The letter requested the agency provide evidence for not extending the listed specific waivers. Read more.
• March 31: The Academy, along with eleven members of the APRN Workgroup, sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requesting the regulatory waivers in place during the COVID-19 public health emergency be made permanent. These waivers not only have enabled APRNs to practice at the top of their licensure but also strengthened the health care workforce and improved health equity. The letter requested HHS provide evidence for not extending the listed specific waivers. Read more.
• March 31: The Academy, along with members of the APRN Workgroup submitted comments in response to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) proposed rule; Telemedicine Prescribing of Controlled Substances When the Practitioner and the Patient Have Not Had a Prior In-Person Medical Evaluation (88 Fed. Reg. 12875, March 1, 2023). Issues discussed in the letter include telemedicine, workforce shortage, in-person visits, prescriptions, mid-level practitioners, and buprenorphine. Read more.
• March 31: The Academy, along with members of the APRN Workgroup submitted comments in response to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) proposed rule; Expansion of Induction of Buprenorphine via Telemedicine Encounter (88 Fed. Reg. 12890, March 1, 2023). The proposed rule provides requirements to check the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) prior to issuance of a prescription, 30-day limitations, in-person requirements for follow-up appointments, and more detailed requirements for record-keeping are expected to minimize the diversion of buprenorphine via telemedicine, including audio-only telemedicine. Read more.
• March 29: The Academy submitted comments in response to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s request for information regarding the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA). The comments highlight recommendations on improving disease surveillance, state and federal stockpiles, streamlining coordination during emergencies, and making permanent the telehealth waivers implemented during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Academy's Expert Panels on Environmental & Public Health; Bioethics; Child, Adolescent and Family; and Health Equity assisted in the development of the comments. Read more.
• March 24: The Academy, along with 121 organizations, joined a letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS-ED) requesting they fully fund the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program at its $100 million authorization level and provide $50 million to launch the new Bio-Preparedness Workforce Pilot Program. Read more.
• March 23: The Academy, along with sixty-five health organizations, joined a letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS-ED) requesting funding for family planning, teen pregnancy prevention, and sexually transmitted infection programs in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. Read more.
• March 20: The Academy, along with sixty-three members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) submitted comments in response to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s request for information on current health care workforce issues, outlining current realities and proposals to ensure nurses may continue to provide high-quality health care to all communities. Read more. 
• March 20: The Academy, along with eleven members of the APRN Workgroup submitted comments in response to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s request for information on current health care workforce issues, examining the important lessons from the pandemic and considering how to move forward. Read more.
• March 20: The Academy sent comments to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee with recommendations on how to remedy current nursing and health care workforce shortages with policy solutions. Some of the recommendations in the letter included removing barriers to the advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) workforce and supporting the current and future nursing workforce through investment in workforce development, increasing data collection for enhanced solutions, and addressing workplace violence. Read more.
• March 16: The Academy, along with members of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, joined letters to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS-ED) requesting an increase in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH). This increase would help OSH respond to high rates of e-cigarette use among youth and the devastating toll that tobacco continues to take on our nation’s health. Read the House and Senate letters.
• March 15: American Academy of Nursing Releases Meeting Proceedings from 2022 May and June Policy Dialogues
  
• March 9: The Academy, along with members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), sent a letter to the House and Senate Leaders urging Congress to take legislative action to make the various waivers in place during the Public Health Emergency (PHE) permanent so nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) can continue to provide high-quality health care to patients in all communities, including in rural and underserved areas. Read more.
• March 8: The Academy, along with 150 other health care organizations, joined a letter to appropriations leaders requesting $500 million in funding for the Agency for Healthcare and Research and Quality (AHRQ) for fiscal year (FY) 2024. This request reflects an inflation adjustment and the demonstrated need to expand and accelerate investments to inform decision-making on the health care system as it recovers from the pandemic. Read more.
• March 6: The Academy, along with fifty-three members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), joined a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS-ED) requesting at least $530 million for Nursing Workforce Development Programs (Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 296 et seq.]) and at least $210 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR, National Institutes of Health) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. Read more.
• March 6: The Academy submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the Safeguarding the Rights of Conscience as Protected by Federal Statutes proposed rule. The proposed rule would restore the longstanding process for handling conscience complaints and provide additional safeguards to protect patients and providers against conscience and religious discrimination. Read more.
• March 6: The Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science (CANS) and the Academy sent a letter to the NIH Center for Scientific Review regarding their proposed revised simplified review framework for research project grant applications. Read more. 
• February 21: The Academy, along with members of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, signed onto letters to the House and Senate in support of the proposed rules prohibiting menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. Read the House and Senate letters.
• February 13: The Academy joined a letter from the US Breastfeeding Committee to Congress urging them to prioritize breastfeeding and human milk feeding during this congressional session. Issues discussed in the letter include federal funding for breastfeeding; infant nutrition security; access to lactation support and supplies; workplace protections; and maternity care. Read more.
• February 10: The Academy submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the Medicare Program; Contract Year 2024 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program and PACE proposed rule. The proposed rule would strengthen Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage for the tens of millions of people who rely on the programs for health care coverage, improve protections for people with Medicare, expand access to behavioral health care, promote equity in coverage and make prescriptions drugs more affordable for low-income individuals. Read more.
• February 10: The Academy submitted comments to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) regarding the 42 CFR Part 8 Medications for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder proposed rule. The proposed rule plans to expand access to treatment for opioid use disorders and address longstanding barriers to treatment in regulations. Read more. 

2022

• December 21: The Academy, along with forty-seven members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), joined a letter thanking Congressional leaders for introducing the National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2022 (H.R.8817/S.4844). This legislation would offer an important step forward to gather additional data on needs within the nursing workforce. Read more. 
  
• December 2: The Academy, along with sixty-one members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), joined a letter urging Congress to pass top legislative priorities addressing the needs of nursing education, practice, and research before the end of the 117th Congress. Read more.
• December 1: The Academy, along with eleven members of the APRN Workgroup submitted comments in response to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) request for information on designing a national directory of healthcare providers and services so that patients can get accurate information regarding providers. Read more.
• November 18: The Academy, along with fifty-seven organizations in the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), joined a letter urging the passage of the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act (S.4182) this Congress. This request comes as the House passed a related bill last year. The Academy previously supported this bill in a letter thanking Senator Baldwin for its introduction. Read more.
  
• November 17: The American Academy of Nursing Releases Position Statement on Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention. Read more.
• November 17: The Academy, along with 70 other health care organizations, joined a letter to House and Senate appropriations leaders requesting $261.5 million for the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. This $20 million increase would help OSH respond to high rates of e- cigarette use among youth and the continuing impact of tobacco use. Read more.
• November 15: The Academy, along with sixty-one organizations in the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), joined a 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. Read more.
• October 26: The Academy, along with 56 organizations from the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), joined a letter thanking Representatives Lucille Roybal-Allard and David Joyce for introducing the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act (H.R. 8812). The ICAN Act would remove outdated barriers in the Medicare and Medicaid programs that currently prevent APRNs from practicing to the full extent of their education and clinical training. Read more.
• October 20: American Academy of Nursing Releases Meeting Proceedings from 2021 Policy Dialogues
• September 27: The Academy joined an amicus brief along with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other health care organizations in support of a challenge to a Florida Medicaid rule limiting access to gender-affirming medical care. The rule denies Medicaid recipients in Florida with gender dysphoria access to evidence-based treatments designed to improve health outcomes and alleviate suffering. Read more.
• September 26: The Academy along with eight other nursing organizations sent a letter to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding their proposed rule on the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. The comments to CMS requested the agency remove barriers to care for APRNs and their patients. Read more.
• September 26: The Academy joined a letter from the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) urging Congress to pass top legislative priorities impacting our current and future nursing workforce before the end of the 117th Congress. Legislative priorities in the letter included: making pandemic waivers permanent, invest in the public health infrastructure, mental health and healthy work environments for nurses, safety measures for the nursing workforce, as well as pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act and the Midwives for MOMs Act. Read more.
• September 19: The Academy signed on to a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regarding funding for the Title X Family Planning Program in the President’s budget. The letter calls for increasing the funding for the Title X family planning program, enforcing the Medicaid Free Choice of Provider requirement, and expanding access to clinical services. Read more.
• September 19: The Academy, along with 115 other organizations, signed onto a letter to House and Senate Appropriations leaders urging timely action to complete Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) appropriations by the start of the fiscal year on October 1, 2022. The letter highlights that FY23 funding is urgently needed to fund research and advance critical health priorities. Read more.
• September 15: The Academy along with our colleagues in the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) sent a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees requesting at least $324.472 million for Title VIII Nursing Workforce and Development Programs and at least $208.571 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. Read more.
• August 25: The Academy joined an amicus brief along with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other health care organizations challenging the state of Texas’s efforts to ban access to gender-affirming care. Read more.
• August 24: The Academy, along with 11 other nursing organizations, sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure in support of the new Rural Emergency Hospital designation to ensure high quality of care under the Conditions of Participation (CoPs). The comments call for CMS to make permanent that APRNs can practice to the full extent of their education and clinical training, which would remove barriers to care for APRNs and their patients. Read more.
• August 23: The Academy along with fifty-eight members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), signed on to a letter supporting a National Defense Authorization Act amendment that honors and recognizes the women who served as cadet nurses during World War II. Read more.
• August 8: The Academy applauds the Senate's passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which will help counteract rising costs of healthcare to promote health equity. Read more.
• August 2: The Academy, along with members of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration regarding their proposed rule prohibiting flavored cigars. Read more.
• August 2: The Academy, along with members of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration regarding their proposed rule prohibiting menthol flavoring in cigarettes. Read more.
• July 29: The Academy applauds the Administration for elevating Monkeypox to a health emergency. We must commit to reducing the stigma surrounding this disease and commit to evidence-based public health measures to provide the best possible care. Read more.
• July 28: The Academy, along with fifty members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), signed onto a letter to the U.S. Senate supporting consideration and passage of H.R. 6087, the Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act. The Academy previously supported this bill in a letter to the House. Read more.
• July 7: The American Academy of Nursing joins more than 75 leading health care organizations to release a joint statement in opposition to legislative interference. Read more.
• June 24: The American Academy of Nursing and Maternal Health Organizations Respond to Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Read more.
• June 21: The Academy signed on to a letter, along with other health organizations and research groups, urging Members of Congress to pass the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act (S.1658/H.R. 3110). This law would strengthen the current Break Time law by closing the coverage gap that leaves nearly 9 million workers without lactation protections, providing employers clarity on when pumping time must be paid and when it may be unpaid, and providing remedies for nursing mothers. Read more.
• June 17: The Academy submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid regarding the FY2023 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH)Prospective Payment System (PPS) proposed rule. The proposed rule includes measures that will encourage hospitals to build health equity into their core functions, thereby improving care for vulnerable people and communities who are disproportionately impacted by the healthcare system. Read more.
• June 14: The Academy, along with 68 other organizations, signed onto a letter to House Appropriations leaders urging them to not include any provisions that would weaken FDA’s oversight of tobacco products in the FY 2023 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations bills. Read more.
• June 9: The Academy joined a letter with our partners in the Nursing Community Coalition thanking Senator Baldwin for introducing the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Services Workers Act. This bill would address workplace violence by directing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to put forth enforceable safety standards. Read more.
• June 6: The Academy, along with eight other nursing organizations, signed a letter to Representatives Courtney and Walberg in support of H.R. 6087, the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act. This legislation would remove 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. Read more.
• May 25: The Academy submitted comments to the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC) regarding federal disaster preparedness, relief, and community resilience which will provide advice and recommendations about broad cross-cutting issues, related but not limited to, issues of environmental justice and pollution reduction, energy, climate change mitigation and resiliency, environmental health, and racial inequity. Read more.
• May 19: The Academy offered comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regarding the development of the 2022 Environmental Justice Strategy and Implementation Plan which will serve as a guide to confront environmental and health disparities that will serve vulnerable populations and communities disproportionately impacted by environmental burdens. Read more.
• May 17: Press Release: Gun Violence and Racism are Public Health Crises in America
• May 11: The Academy, along with fifty-eight members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), signed onto written testimony submitted to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. The testimony featured the coalition's funding requests of $530 million for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and $210 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research for Fiscal Year 2023. Read the House and Senate testimony.
• May 6: Press Release: Statement on the Leaked SCOTUS Draft Majority Opinion on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
• May 6: The Academy, along with sixty-one members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), signed onto a letter urging Congress to take action on top legislative priorities that impact nursing education, practice, and research. Read more.
• May 4: The Academy signed on to an amicus brief along with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other health care organizations challenging the state of Alabama’s efforts to ban gender-affirming care. Read more.
• April 28: The Academy, along with 287 other organizations, signed onto a letter to House and Senate Appropriations leaders requesting $60 million in funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct public health research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention. Read more.
• April 25: The Academy along with forty-eight members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) signed onto a letter urging Congress to take action to make waivers permanent beyond this Public Health Emergency (PHE). Waivers have allowed nurses to practice to the top of their licensure and have expanded telehealth coverage throughout the pandemic. Read more.
• April 18: The Academy, along with 64 other health care organizations, signed onto letters to House and Senate appropriations leaders requesting $310 million for the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. This funding level would be an increase of $68.5 million above FY 2022 enacted, helping OSH to respond to high rates of e-cigarette use among youth and the continuing impacts of tobacco use. Read the House and Senate letters.
• April 11: The Academy along with fifty-seven members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) signed onto letters to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies requesting $530 million for Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and $210 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research for fiscal year (FY) 2023. Read the House and Senate letters.
• April 4: The Academy sent a letter to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee in support of S.3799, the Prepare for and Respond to Existing Viruses, Emerging New Threats, and Pandemics Act (PREVENT Pandemics Act). The Academy letter highlights that the PREVENT Pandemics Act includes many of the recommendations the Academy put forth in comments submitted in June 2020. Read more.
• March 28: The Academy signed on to an amicus brief along with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Medical Association (AMA), and other health care organizations challenging the state of Montana's efforts to ban access to safe reproductive care. Read more.
• March 23: The Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science (CANS) and the Academy sent a letter to the NIH regarding the Center for Scientific Review’s (CSR) draft strategic plan for 2022 - 2027. Read more.
• March 16: The Academy, along with 134 other health care organizations, signed onto letters to House and Senate leaders requesting at least $500 million in funding for the Agency for Healthcare and Research and Quality (AHRQ) for fiscal year (FY) 2023. The letter emphasizes that FY23 increases are urgently needed to accelerate health services research and inform decision-making on the healthcare system as it recovers from the pandemic. Read the House and Senate letters.
• February 14: The Academy along with fifty-five members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) signed onto letters to the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees urging them to pass S.1220/H.R.2568 - The United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act of 2021 this Congress. Read the House and Senate letters.
• January 31: The Academy along with sixty-two members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) sent a letter welcoming Carole Johnson as the newly-appointed Administrator of the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). Read more.
• January 19: The Academy along with fifty-nine members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) sent a 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. Read more.
• January 19: The Academy along with fifty-six members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) sent a letter urging the Senate to advance several key policies within the Build Back Better Act, including support for nursing education pathways, the Nurse Corps, and Momnibus. Read more.