ENA Washington Update - January 2025

ENA Washington Update - January 2025

News You Can Use

President Biden Signs Emergency Medical Service for Children Legislation
On Dec. 23, President Biden signed a five-year extension of the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program, providing a much-needed victory for the emergency care and pediatric communities. ENA, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics, was the lead organization in advocating in the halls of Congress for the passage of this important legislation.

EMSC is the only federal program dedicated to improving emergency care for children. It ensures all children and adolescents – no matter where they live, attend school or travel – will receive appropriate treatments during a health care emergency. It provides direct support to emergency departments and pre-hospital emergency medical services that require specialized medications, equipment and training to care for pediatric patients.

Congress Wraps-Up 118th Congress with ENA Priorities in Limbo
Congress adjourned on Dec. 20 after passing an 11th hour bill to temporarily fund the federal government. However, the funding bill did not contain several ENA priorities which directly impact emergency care and the work of emergency nurses.

Among the bills which still need to be passed are the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act; the Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond to Health and Wellness (SOAR) Act; the MISSION Zero Act; as well as programs and authorities contained within the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Response Act (PAHPA). In addition, Congress did not consider the reauthorization of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, which contains a number of important opioid-related policies which have been instrumental in reducing the number of opioid-related fatalities in recent years.

119th Congress Sworn-In with Plenty on Its Plate
The 119th Congress officially began on Jan. 3 with Republicans controlling both chambers for the first time since 2019. With this comes control of the chamber’s agenda as well as the work of the committees with jurisdictions over various issues, such health care and commerce.

For ENA priority issues, work in the House of Representatives is focused heavily on the Energy and Commerce Committee, which governs programs such as the Dr. Lorna Breen Act, poison control centers and the EMSC program. The gavel, and the committee’s control, were recently passed to Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., who had previously chaired E&C’s Health Subcommittee. Elected to replace him as chair of the Health Subcommittee is Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., who championed the EMSC program reauthorization as the bill’s sponsor last year.

Also in the House, Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., takes over as chair of the Education and Workforce Committee, which has primary authority over the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act.

Addressing health issues in the Senate, where the balance of power is now with the GOP, is the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which will now be chaired by Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La. HELP has jurisdiction over most of ENA’s policy portfolio, including trauma care and workplace violence.

ENA State Leaders: Got a State Bill to Track?
Contact ENA Government Relations and let us know the bill number - gov@ena.org
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EN411 Grassroots Advocacy

Members of Congress need to hear from their constituents – this means you!
Action Alerts highlight ENA’s priorities before the House and Senate. Through the links below, you can send a letter or X post to your member of Congress.
With the start of a new congress, ENA’s federal priority bills need to be reintroduced before new alerts can be announced to build support for critical issues affecting emergency nurses. Check back soon or watch ENA social media for updates!

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Current Federal Legislative Priorities

Find out about current legislative priorities on the ENA Government Relations page.

Datebook

Upcoming Government Relations and Advocacy Events

Jan. 20:        Presidential Inauguration, Washington, D.C.      
Jan. 30-31:   ENA Leadership Conference 2025, Louisville, Kentucky