The mission of ANA's State Government Affairs program is to promote select nursing and related state legislative activity, described as ANA's nationwide state legislative agenda. This is accomplished by monitoring state legislation and through coordinated communication and sharing of resources between constituent member associations.
ANA's State Government Affairs program monitors over 1,000 nursing and healthcare related bills introduced in state legislatures across the country. Issues tracked include scope of practice for nurses, including advanced practice nurses, as well as related professions (pharmacists) and allied health persons (EMTs); expansion in roles of unlicensed assistive personnel; workplace/environmental issues including but not limited to the presence and use of chemicals & other hazards; staffing; mandatory overtime; safe patient handling and movement; and workplace violence.
Reports are prepared for each issue tracked, providing a summary of activity and legislation enacted by state. The sources for legislative updates include Statescape Tracking Service and information reported by ANA constituent and state nurses associations.
To communicate with Government Affairs Staff, please write to gova@ana.org.
For positions on state legislation, contact ANA constituent and state nurses associations (the nurses association in your state).