Health Affairs

Role and Responsibility of the APRN for Effective Advocacy

By Christy Kroboth

The Health Affairs Committee presented the roles and responsibilities of the APRN for effective advocacy at the Annual Conference in September.

This presentation summarized how the government works, how a bill becomes law, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) role in advocacy, health policy and advocacy, GAPNA policy and procedures, and advocacy methods.

It is important for APRNs to advocate for their rights to full practice authority, to order diabetic shoes, and to advocate for their patients. The Health Affairs Committee is creating a toolkit that will be available on the website. This toolkit will have sample letters to send to congress/senators to advocate for the bills you find essential.

Additionally, instructions are included to develop point papers addressing current issues with your congress/senators. If you have any other questions not addressed by the toolkit, please feel free to contact any member of the Health Affairs Committee, and they can help you.

Before the presentation on September 16, the House of Representatives introduced the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. This legislation removes outdated Medicare/Medicaid barriers on APRNs to promote patient access to healthcare services.

Access to services provided by APRNs would increase under the Medicare and Medicaid programs and other programs. The Health Affairs Committee will work with GAPNA and other organizations to assist with pushing this bill through. We ask all APRNs to reach out to their representatives to sponsor this bill.

Find your local representative or select the ICAN Act to send a letter.

We will keep you updated on the progress of the ICAN Act as it moves through congress, or you can view updates here.

Christy Kroboth, MSN, CRNP, ANP-BC
ckroboth@fellowshipcommunity.com