Political ActionClick Here to view the VSNA Political Action Blog.
Introduction to the Committee on Government Affairs The VSNA Committee on Government Affairs (CGA) monitors governmental activity, at all levels of government within the state. The CGA determines which governmental activities will have a potential impact on the nursing profession in Vermont and coordinates the appropriate advocacy action. Members of the CGA serve to promote, preserve and protect the nursing profession and ultimately the residents of VT by:
· Monitoring legislative action at the state and local level and informing the VSNA Board of any potential need for action by the Association. · Monitoring Administrative Rules changes that might impact nursing. · Research and participation in the analysis of legislation or regulations that have been proposed and offering recommendations to the VSNA Board of Directors regarding what position the VSNA should take on them. · Eliciting input from the general membership when appropriate. · Coordinating and/or providing expert written and/or verbal testimony before various legislative and administrative committees. · Educating nurses in VT on the legislative process and effective advocacy. · Coordinating a rapid response team to address issues that may arise that need immediate action by committee members and VT nurses, such as letter writing and calls. · Serving as liaisons to educate legislators, local government officials and the public on the role of nurses and our concerns regarding governmental activities that impact nursing and the health of VT residents. · Establishing a network of "experts" in the various areas of nursing to serve as a resource to help educate CGA members and legislators.
Nurses are the largest and most trusted workforce in the American healthcare industry. We have the credentials to be one of the most influential voices in decisions regarding healthcare policy. The activities of the CGA serve to ensure that VT RN's are included in the healthcare policy formulation dialogue.
Join the CGA and help in this important effort.
You do not need prior political or advocacy experience to be a member - just a desire to protect and improve the profession and healthcare in VT. However, you must be a member of the VSNA to serve on the CGA. If you are interested in joining the VSNA and becoming a member of the CGA please click on the "Join Now" link at the top of the page and follow the instructions for joining. If you have any questions regarding membership or the CGA please call the VSNA office at 802-651-8886 and we will return your call. We look forward to hearing from you!
Legislative and Committee on Government Affairs Update Christine Ryan, RN, MS, VSNA Lobbyist February 2012 The 2012 state legislative session is busy with the work of recovery from Tropical Storm Irene. Legislation of interest to Vermont nurses that is being addressed includes: Health Care Reform and the work of the Green Mountain Care Board, Recovery from Tropical Storm Irene related to the State Hospital staff and patients, Taxation of sweetened beverages, Health care practitioner signature authority, Immunization exemptions, and Legalization of physician assisted suicide. The Vermont State Nurses Association and members of the Committee on Government Affairs will be called upon to provide input regarding a variety of issues important to nursing in 2012. If you are interested in testifying on any of these issues should the need arise and you are in concurrence with the platform of VSNA , please notify Christine Ryan. To ensure that Vermont nurses are represented when healthcare policies are formulated, all Vermont nurses need to get involved in the dialogue. The VSNA and the CGA needs to hear from you and we hope to be able to call on you when questions arise that you can help answer. If you are interested in joining the CGA, please contact me-Christine Ryan, VSNA Lobbyist via email at VSNA_lobbyist@vsna-inc.org. Any amount of participation in the activities of the committee that your schedule will permit would be greatly appreciated. Nurses are the largest and most trusted workforce in the American healthcare industry. We have the credentials to be one of the most influential voices in decisions regarding healthcare policy and legislation. Let’s make sure our voices are heard. Legislative Links
NURSES DAY AT THE STATEHOUSE Wednesday, April 19th 2012 Registration required. The theme of this year’s event will be “Harnessing Nurses’ Political Power” and we are excited to have Anya Radar Wallack, PhD as a guest speaker. In September 2011, Anya Radar Wallack was appointed by Governor Shumlin to lead the Green Mountain Care board which will be responsible for implementing the single-payer system in Vermont. Dr. Wallack is President of Arrowhead Health Analytics. A native Vermonter, Anya has an extensive knowledge of state health policy, including Medicaid policy and the effect of national health reform on states. She established Arrowhead after serving as interim President of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation (BCBSMAF) and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute (MMPI). Anya has served as a consultant to state governments and multi-state organizations for most of the past decade. Anya served from 1991-1994 as Policy Director and then Deputy Chief of Staff for Vermont under Governor Howard Dean, M.D. In that capacity, she coordinated efforts to pass and implement two major health reform initiatives and served as the Governor’s liaison to the Agency of Human Services and BISCHA. From 1995-1998 Anya ran the Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care, a quasi-governmental agency that specializes in quality measurement and improvement at the state level. Anya earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont and a Ph.D. in social policy from Brandeis University’s Heller School. June Benoit, RN, MSN, FNPc, a member of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Nursing will be presenting on the work of that Commission. Ms. Benoit is a past president of VSNA and was the acting interim Executive Director in addition to her busy practice as a nurse practitioner in the VA system. Christine Ryan, RN, MS. The VSNA lobbyist will be updating people about active legislation and the legislative process. Location: Capitol Plaza Hotel, Montpelier, Vermont Time: 8 A.M. Registration and Breakfast Presenters: 8:30-10:30 A.M. Following the morning presentations, attendees of the event will walk to the State House for a tour of the State House (10:45 & 11:30), attend Committee Meetings, and meet with Legislators. 1 P.M.: Attendees of the event will be guests in the House Chamber where a resolution will be read honoring Nurses Day in Vermont. Parking is free and is located behind the Capitol Plaza. Vouchers will be provided. Pre-registration is desirable and will be available on the website at the beginning of March. Please plan to attend and learn to become a more effective advocate for the Nursing profession. Nursing Links
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