MBNA

Health Policy

Nurses at the Table:

Advancing Health Policy and Advocacy

MBNA believes nurses have a powerful voice in shaping policies that impact health equity, workforce development, and access to quality care. By staying informed and actively participating in policy discussions, nurses can advocate for stronger healthcare systems, safer working environments, and improved health outcomes for underserved communities.

Nurses must become involved in shaping health policy and advocating for the communities they serve.

- Eddie Bernice Johnson

Current

Health Policy Topics

Current Health Policy Topics in the U.S. House of Representatives

Several healthcare-related legislative initiatives currently under discussion in Congress highlight issues that directly impact nurses and the communities they serve:

Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act – A comprehensive legislative package designed to address the maternal health crisis in the United States and reduce racial disparities in maternal mortality. The Momnibus includes multiple bills that invest in community-based maternal care, diversify the perinatal workforce, strengthen data collection on maternal outcomes, and address social determinants of health affecting mothers and infants.
Title VIII Nursing Workforce Programs – Federal programs supporting nursing education, recruitment, and workforce development across the United States.
Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act – Proposed legislation aimed at addressing the national shortage of nursing faculty by providing financial support to recruit and retain nurse educators.
Save Healthcare Workers Act – Proposed legislation that would make assaulting a healthcare worker a federal crime, strengthening protections for healthcare professionals.
Telehealth and Hospital-at-Home Expansion Policies – Congressional initiatives focused on expanding telehealth access and innovative care models to improve healthcare delivery, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
NURSE Visa Act – A bill proposing the creation of additional visas for registered nurses to help address workforce shortages in areas with critical staffing needs.

38th Annual Black Nurses Day on Capitol Hill

Legislative Toolkit 2026

Position Papers on important issues impacting the health care of African American consumers

Advancing nursing workforce development and diversity to achieve health equity
Ensuring equity and safety in AI integration in the nursing workforce
Environmental impact on health equity in black communities
Governmental changes and their impact on health equity
Addressing gun violence as a public health crisis
End the Black maternal mortality crisis
Advancing mental health equity and ending stigma in Black communities

Find Your Local, State, and Federal Representatives

Engaging with elected officials is one of the most powerful ways nurses can influence healthcare policy. By contacting your representatives, sharing your clinical experiences, and advocating for your patients and communities, nurses can help shape meaningful healthcare reform.

Find Your Representative:

To identify and contact your elected officials, visit the official U.S. government website:

Find Your Elected Officials:

You can also find federal, state, and local elected officials through the U.S. government’s official civic engagement resource: