HPNA Guide to the 118th Congress
Key Congressional Committees for Nurses and Healthcare Issues
The United States House Committee on Appropriations is a committee of the US House of Representatives that is responsible for posting appropriation bills with its Senate counterpart.
The Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee has jurisdiction over the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services.
The United States Senate Committee on Health, Labor, and Pensions generally considers matters relating to these issues. Its jurisdiction also extends beyond these issues to include several specific areas, as defined by Senate rules.
The Senate Finance Committee is a standing committee of the US Senate and concerns itself with matters relating to taxation and other revenue measures, including programs under the Social Security Act (Medicare and Medicaid).
The Committee on Ways and Means is the chief tax-writing committee in the US House of Representatives and oversees all taxation tariffs and other revenue-raising measures. This includes Social Security, unemployment benefits, and Medicare.
Key House of Representatives Committees for Nurses and Healthcare Issues
The Energy and Commerce Committee has served as the principal guide for the House of Representatives in matters relating to the promotion of commerce and to the public’s health and marketplace interests.
Foundation and Policy Resources
The Future of Nursing 2020-2030 publication explores the future of nursing over the next decade. It is available for purchase or as a free download from the National Academies Press.
Nursing Association and Organization Resources
AAHPM offers an extensive listing of resources and links to websites for advocacy/public Information, clinical and educational issues, funding, professional organizations, and policy and practice issues.
AANP offers access to non-members to information about legislation/regulation, Congressional committees; practice issues; political action committee (PAC) activities; Office of Health Policy contact information; and Doctor of Nursing Practice.
ANA Advocacy offers access to information about healthcare reform issues on topics like health system reform, agencies and regulations, care coordination, and health information technology.
AORN offers information related to perioperative nursing practice at the federal and state level.
NAPNAP offers information about advocacy and issues related to PNP practice issues, pending legislation, and legislative action.
NHPCO offers information, advocacy tools, supported legislation/cost reports/policy briefings, policy alerts, and regulatory/state affairs information.
ONS offers information on public policy and advocacy, including action alerts, and access to ONSTAT, the ONS electronic advocacy network.
Additional Resources
- Academy Health
- Alliance for Health Care Reform
- Centers for Disease Control
- The Commonwealth Fund
- C-Span
- Government Accountability Office
- Government Printing Office
- League of Women Voters
- National Academy for State Health Policy
- National Center for Public Policy Research
- National Conference of State Legislatures
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing
- National Journal
- Project Vote Smart
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- Roll Call
- Urban Institute
- US Conference of Mayors
