ANA, AFT pass resolutions on racial justice
The American Nurses Association and the American Federation of Teachers both passed resolutions last week calling for racial justice and action to combat racism.
WSNA in OIympia #
We stay on top of issues and bills in that impact the nursing profession, health care and collective bargaining. Through regular updates and opportunities to participate in the political process, WSNA helps nurses stay informed and have a say in the decisions that impact your practice.
2020 legislative session #
This year we worked on…
Budget priorities
- School Nurse Corps funding
Improve the health and safety of K‑12 students across Washington by funding OSPI’s request for an additional $2.75 million for the School Nurse Corps which funds nurses in Class II (small, rural) school districts. - Nursing education funding
Increase funding for four-year university nursing faculty salaries to recruit and retain well-qualified educators. Provide scholarship and loan repayment funding that allows financial stability while giving underserved communities additional providers. Increase training opportunities for sexual assault nurse examiners.
Policy priorities
- Sexual assault nurse examiners
Increase access to training, improve reimbursement and call payments, and create uniformity around the state to ensure victims receive the care they deserve. - ARNP reimbursement parity
Require health plans to reimburse ARNPs at the same rate as physicians when the same service is provided, aligning with the practice of Washington State Medicaid and the Department of Labor & Industries. - Health system transparency
Require increased transparency of health system financial reporting, including disaggregation of data.
Downloads
- 2020 legislative priorities (pdf; 69.2 KB)
- School Nurse Corps funding (pdf; 533.4 KB)
- Health systems financial transparency (pdf; 372.8 KB)
- 2020 Budget Grid (March 13) (pdf; 218.9 KB)
Advocacy toolkit #
Legislator voting record
#
The 2020 Legislator Voting Record was developed based on priority bills that WSNA supported during the 2020 state legislative session. Not all WSNA priority bills were voted on in both chambers, which is why the bills lists differ from Senate to House. As the voting records indicate, most nursing issues have bipartisan support in Olympia.
- 2020 Legislator Voting Record (pdf; 224.2 KB)
Find your voting district
#
Look up bill information on the legislature’s website #
Register to vote #
News #
WSNA statement calling for an end to systemic racism, racial violence and police brutality
WSNA stands in solidarity with all those who are calling for an end to systemic racism, racial violence and police brutality. We also are calling on our profession to look hard at the many ways racism manifests itself in our health care system and in patient care. We must do better.
Governor Jay Inslee proclaims May as Nurses Month in Washington state
Thank you, Governor Jay Inslee for recognizing May 2020 as Nurse Month."I encourage all people in our state to join me in honoring the nurses of Washington, especially recognizing the critical and live-saving role that registered nurses have filled around our state, country, and world through the current coronavirus pandemic.
Gov. Inslee issues memo on workers compensation and proclamation on high-risk workers
On April 10, Gov. Inslee sent a memorandum clarifying how L&I should handle workers compensation claims for COVID-19. On April 13, he issued a proclamation protecting high-risk employees.
Lessons learned from the front lines: Washington State Nurses Association’s recommendations for other states
Our members have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis in the United States. As we work to manage a public health crisis unlike any of us has ever seen, it is our duty to share the key lessons we are learning on the ground.
Unions representing nurses and health professionals applaud steps to focus on safety
Unions representing nurses, health professionals, and health care service and maintenance workers today responded to Gov. Inslee’s emergency declaration on health and safety rules.
ANA met with President Trump to discuss coronavirus prevention strategies
Today, ANA Chief Nursing Officer Debbie Hatmaker met with President Donald J. Trump to urge the administration to provide a sufficient supply of appropriate personal protective equipment for nurses and to share the need for creative staffing strategies to sustain the nursing workforce so they can continue to provide care during this…
Coronavirus highlights school nurse role in public health prevention and response
During this outbreak and every day, our students deserve the security of having a registered professional nurse on campus. Please join us in urging Washington state lawmakers to invest $1.7 million in new funding in the School Nurse Corps during the 2020 legislative session.