AWHONN MICHIGAN LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
October 12, 2016
Cheryl Larry-Osman, RN, MS, CNM, Perinatal CNS, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit
Legislative Coordinator, Michigan Section
The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) is a nonprofit membership organizationdedicated to improving the health of women and newborns and strengthening the nursing profession. AWHONN represents the interests of 350,000 registered nurses working in women’s health, obstetric, and neonatal nursing across the United States.
1.)Funding Available for Travel to DC: Learn How to Become a Better Advocate
AWHONN will make TWO scholarships available for members to attend the Nurse in Washington Internship (NIWI) program in the Washington, DC area in March, 2017. NIWI provides nurses with the opportunity to learn how to influence health care through the legislative process. This three-day conference will energize and prepare attendees to become actively involved in the health policy process at the local, state and national levels. Learn more about the NIWI experience by readingCheryl Larry-Osman’s blogand consider applying. Visit theAWHONN websitefor application information and more details.
2.)Thank You for Making Our Virtual Hill Day a Success
On September 14th, AWHONN hosted its first-ever Virtual Capitol Hill Day to advocate for women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Many of you activated fellow Section members and wrote letters to your elected officials. Thanks to you, we flooded Hill offices with nearly 500 letters! If you didn’t get a chance to write, there is still time. Visit AWHONN’sLegislative Action Centerfor a pre-written letter to your Members of Congress.
3.)Advocate for Paid Leave
AWHONN supports policies that provide women with paid maternity leave in order to fully establish andmaintain exclusive breastfeedingfor at least the first six months of their infants’ lives. To help members learn more about our position on this issue, the AWHONN Public Policy Committee developed anew online resourcededicated to paid leave. It includes information on national and local efforts to expand paid leave, a template letter to legislators in support of paid leave, a template Op-Ed to submit to your local newspaper, and more. Visit the AWHONNLegislative Action Centerand make your voice heard!
4.)New Member Resource: Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives Information
Long acting reversible contraception (LARC) has gained popularity in the last decade as a safe and effective contraceptive choice. With the AWHONN Board of Directors recent approval of the position statement,Insurance Coverage for Contraceptives,AWHONN now publically supports the availability of LARC as a first-line, contraceptive option. Further, AWHONN supports the recently released ACOG Committee Opinion,Immediate Postpartum Long-Acting Reversible Contraception.
5.)AWHONN Leadership Conference.November 13 & 14, 2016, at Hyatt Regency, Crystal City, Virginia.The meeting registration link is live and can be accessedhereor via AWHONN website. Sections can register multiple people under the same payment if they so choose, or you may register individually. A decision has been made tocancel the AWHONN Leaders of the Hill visitsassociated with AWHONN’s bi-annual Leadership Conference this fall. The timing of the meeting (November 13-14) made a Hill Day challenging given the general election the week before. The planning committee has decided, instead, to have an educational session focused on legislative issues at the meeting. If you have questions or concerns about your room reservation, please contact Cathy Warner at202.261.2426, or Alan Chewning via email or at202.261.2420.
AWHONN Legislative Action Center
Go to AWHONN Home Page, click “Get Involved”, then select “ADVOCATE” from the dropdown list. You can search the following links: 1) Advocate, 2) Coalitions, and 3) Position Statements. Information can be found on Issues, Key Legislation, & how to Take Action via contacting legislators, writing letters & grass roots efforts.
For more information on AWHONN’s advocacy efforts, contact Kerri Wade, Director, Government & Media Affairs:.
Thank you,
Cheryl