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Federal
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  • ENA's voice in Washington, D.C.
State
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  • Local support and assistance
Become an Advocate
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  • Join the EN411 Action Network
Take Action
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  • Make your voice heard
Home / Government Relations /

Federal

Just as emergency nurses are advocates for safety and patient care, ENA is an equally determined advocate on federal legislative and regulatory issues affecting emergency nurses and patients. ENA’s Government Relations team:

  • Meets regularly with elected officials on Capitol Hill
  • Tracks federal legislation affecting emergency nurses
  • Engages in the rulemaking process for programs and policies affecting emergency nurses
  • Spearheads grassroots lobbying efforts through the EN411 Action Network.
Federal News Federal Letters of Support

 

Current Federal Legislative Priorities

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Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act

One of the top issues affecting emergency nurses is the risk and lasting effects of workplace violence. This legislation would require the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration to establish a national standard requiring all health care employers to develop and implement workplace violence prevention plans. These plans would address important topics such as identifying risks and responding to incidents of violence, documenting and investigating violence, worker training and supporting workers who are assaulted.

Learn more about the status of this bill:

HOUSE                                 SENATE

Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees Act

This bill would make it a federal crime to assault hospital workers. Citing spikes in violence during the pandemic, the legislation would also provide for enhanced penalties if the assault occurs during a declared emergency.

Learn more about the status of this bill:                

HOUSE                                 SENATE

Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act

Since 1984, the EMSC program has served as the only dedicated federal funding specifically supporting pediatric emergency care. This extremely popular bipartisan program has provided critical funding to all 50 states ensuring that kids in the United States have access to the specialized medications, equipment and treatment they need during an emergency. This bill would continue and authorize funding for the EMSC program for an additional five years.

Learn more about the status of this bill:                

HOUSE                                 SENATE

Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed how stress and pressure affect the nation’s health care workforce daily. Anxiety and burnout are continuing to negatively impact worker satisfaction and workforce retention, exacerbating the looming nursing shortage. This bill would continue an existing law, originally passed in 2022, aimed at reducing and preventing suicide, burnout and negative mental health conditions among health care professionals.

Learn more about the status of this bill:                

HOUSE                                 SENATE

Improving Mental Health Access from the Emergency Department Act

Millions of Americans are affected by mental illness, and many present in emergency departments when they are experiencing a mental health crisis. This often leads to overcrowding and the boarding of patients in EDs. To address this issue, this bill provides important resources for emergency departments to connect mental health patients with better treatment options in the community. This goal is for patients to be able to access resources and facilities that are appropriate for their particular needs.

Learn more about the status of this bill:                

HOUSE                                 SENATE

 

State

Policies with the greatest impact on emergency nurses are often enacted at the state level. ENA’s Government Relations team tracks emergency medical and nursing-related legislation in all 50 states.

We work closely with leaders at the state level to identify, review, track, and advocate for legislative initiatives including workplace violence and injury prevention, as well as workforce issues such as safe staffing, safe patient handling, and nursing scope of practice.

We actively seek opportunities for members to influence the lawmaking process at the state level — through grassroots campaigns or testifying in front of lawmakers in the state capitol.

State Council Advocacy Toolkit

The efforts of ENA members are critical in advancing the principles of “Safe Practice, Safe Care” for emergency nursing. The new Government Affairs toolkit is designed to assist state council leaders in influencing state lawmaker and agency officials as well as energizing and guiding ENA members to advocate on behalf of themselves and their patients.

State Council Advocacy Toolkit

Workplace Violence State Map

ENA works at the state level to support and secure passage of laws that allow law enforcement to charge individuals who assault emergency nurses with a felony. This map reflects which states have taken this important step to protect emergency nurses.

ena workplace violence map

Become an ENA Grassroots Advocate

ENA's grassroots advocates are members, friends, family, and anyone who supports emergency nursing. The government relations team relies on supporters to be actively engaged as grassroots advocates to effect change at the local, state, and national levels.

EN411 Action Network

ENA established the EN411 Action Network to strengthen the voice of emergency nurses in the legislative and regulatory process. Join for free to:

  • Be the first to hear about important opportunities to engage with policymakers through ENA's Action Alerts.
  • Receive a monthly newsletter highlighting news, issues, and legislation impacting emergency nursing.
  • Join the thousands of emergency nurses who are already standing up and speaking out.
Sign Up for Alerts

Current Action Alerts