AACN Welcomes the 116th Congress

Last week, AACN Board Chair Ann Cary and President/CEO Deborah Trautman welcomed new and returning members of the 116th Congress and underscored the importance of including academic nursing's perspective in federal policy discussions. These visits amplified AACN's visibility with Congress and advanced the association's advocacy strategy, which includes sending letters to all 535 members of the House and Senate, detailing how AACN is a significant and trusted resource on issues surrounding workforce, higher education, research, and care delivery models. The message being sent to Congress shares our interest in helping to advance policies that improve health and health care.

Drs. Cary and Trautman were especially thrilled to meet one new member, the Honorable Lauren Underwood (D), who will serve as the Representative for Illinois's 14th Congressional District. Rep. Underwood is a nurse, having earned a BSN from the University of Michigan and an MSN and MPH from Johns Hopkins University. While a graduate student at Johns Hopkins, Rep. Underwood served as a student fellow for AACN's Government Affairs and Policy department.

Image Source: @AACNPolicy Twitter Account

AACN looks forward to working with Congressional committees of jurisdiction, and we will be reminding their leaders that AACN can provide expertise and testimony on topics of significance in health care. To stay up to date with AACN's policy and advocacy efforts, visit www.aacnnursing.org/policy and follow @AACNPolicy on Twitter.