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.
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Recent Activity
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CMS Proposes Coverage of Community-Based Palliative Care in CY 2027 Home Health Proposed Rule
Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Home Health proposed rule, which includes coverage of community-based palliative care through the home health benefit. HPNA is currently reviewing the rule and its potential impact on palliative nurses. If you would like to share your insights on the rule or need assistance submitting comments to CMS, please contact HPNA’s advocacy team here.
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Department of Education Temporarily includes Advanced Nursing Degrees in Student Loan Professional Degree Definition
After a federal judge temporarily blocked the Administration from implementing a final rule that did not include advanced nursing as a “professional degree, the Department of Education altered its list of professional degrees to temporarily include MSN, DNP, and DNAP programs. HPNA continues to work with our nursing community partners and congressional champions on this important issue for nursing education and workforce, and we have endorsed the bipartisan Nursing is a Professional Degree Act (S.4568/H.R. 8691)
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HPNA signs on to National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care comment letter on the Fiscal Year 2027 Hospice Proposed Rule
On June 1, the National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care, of which HPNA is a member, sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) commenting on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Hospice Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements Proposed Rule.