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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Telehealth Flexibilities Expire Under Lapse in Federal Funding
Congressional leaders were unable to negotiate a federal funding bill this week, and a government shutdown is now in effect. It is unclear how long this lapse in funding will last; historically, some shutdowns have lasted a few days, and the longest, in 2018, was for 34 days. Among the programs impacted by the funding lapse is one of HPNA’s policy priorities: the extension of pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities, which are expired as of September 30 and will only be renewed if Congress provides funding for the extension in the next appropriations bill. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided some guidance for providers during this time, but it has not indicated whether claims for telehealth services delivered outside rural areas and other settings will be covered retroactively after the government reopens. HPNA’s advocacy team continues to monitor the funding lapse and telehealth extension. Please join the Advocacy Network for frequent updates and advocacy engagement opportunities, or reach out to the advocacy team with any questions.
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HPNA Advocates on Capitol Hill for Hospice and Palliative Nursing, Education, and Research
HPNA hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill September 17 for House and Senate staff and representatives of partner organizations that highlighted the important work hospice and palliative nurses do every day and underscored the need for continued support of federal programs that support this work, such as the National Institutes for Nursing Research (NINR), Title VIII education and workforce grants, and palliative care research through the National Institutes of Health.
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Senate Committee Advances Appropriations Bill Including Funding for Title VIII Nursing Programs, NINR, and Palliative Care Research
Before Congress adjourned for the August district work period last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed legislation to fund the Departments of Labor, Health, and Human Services, and Education for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This bill still must be voted on by the full Senate and negotiated with the House Appropriations Committee, but it is a positive step forward for nursing education and research, in particular because it includes language preserving the National Institutes for Nursing Research (NINR) and Title VIII nursing education and workforce development programs, which were proposed to be eliminated in the President’s budget. Additionally, the bill provides continued funding for palliative care research through the National Institutes of Aging.