The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) asserts that clinicians have a responsibility and obligation to address hospice and palliative care public policy and regulatory issues. These issues impact the health-related quality of life of patients and caregivers living with serious illness across the lifespan. HPNA acts independently and with collaborating organizations through advocacy to address hospice and palliative care issues at the national, state, local, and regional levels. HPNA currently serves on the board of the National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care; HPNA regularly works with other national coalitions in a collaborative environment. The following statements serve as HPNA’s guiding principles.
View the Guiding Principles
State Ambassador Program
HPNA State Ambassadors are members with experience in hospice and palliative nursing who have the desire to learn about the policy-making process at the local, state, and federal levels. These individuals serve as a general resource for HPNA members regarding legislative and regulatory issues at the state level. They provide information about state/regional policy issues on a quarterly basis. HPNA State Ambassadors also disseminate information about national policy issues as directed by HPNA. Additionally, they encourage HPNA nurses at the state and local levels to participate in HPNA public policy activities.
Learn moreAdvocacy Action Center
HPNA has an Advocacy Action Center available with updates and resources.
Recent Activity
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HPNA Urges Administration Leaders to Address Telehealth Prescribing Flexibilities
HPNA joined more than 100 organizations in urging administration leaders to address upcoming expiration of telehealth prescribing flexibilities.
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New HPNA Advocacy Resource Available for Download!
HPNA’s Advocacy Toolkit is now available for download. This resource is a great way to get started with HPNA’s policy initiatives and advocate at the local, state, and national levels.
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Advocacy Update: Congress Passes Legislation to Reopen Government through January, Including Telehealth Flexibilities
Congress passed legislation Wednesday to end the weeks-long government shutdown, funding the government through January 30, 2026, and reinstating telehealth flexibilities among other healthcare extenders. The final vote in the House was 222-209 with two Republicans opposed to the legislation and six Democrats voting for it, and the bill was signed into law soon after. The bill includes a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through January 30 and provides full fiscal year (FY) 2026 appropriations for Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Legislative Branch, and Agriculture, and the Food and Drug Administration. It also reinstates through the end of January all healthcare extenders, including: Medicare telehealth flexibilities, the Acute Hospital at Home waiver, Medicare-dependent hospital program, community health centers, prevention of Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) cuts, and low-income Medicare programs.