Check out ENA Government Affairs November Washington Update and remember to sign-up for EN411 Action Alerts to make your voice heard.
News You Can Use
Get a Head Start with the 119th Congress by Joining EN411 before the End of the Year! With the start of a new Congress in 2025, ENA’s federal legislative priorities addressing issues such as workplace violence, ED boarding, and nurse education and staffing will need to be reintroduced. When these important bills are reintroduced, ENA will be there supporting their enactment into law – and you can help ENA’s legislative efforts. The EN411 Action Network is the easiest way to express your support for emergency nurses. It only takes a couple of clicks to inform your members of Congress where you stand on these critical issues.
ENA Works to Secure Federal Support for IV Supplies After Helene, Baxter Closing Hurricane Helene’s severe flooding and damage led to Baxter’s North Carolina facility temporarily closing. According to the American Hospital Association, the facility supplies approximately 60 percent of the nation’s IV fluid bags, and the disruption in supply could have serious consequences for emergency care around the country.
ENA and several other organizations have called on the Food and Drug Administration to take immediate and meaningful action to alleviate the effects of a shortage. Learn more here.
To date, the HHS and FDA have responded with actions such as expediting the airlifting of Baxter products from international facilities, supporting the reopening of the North Carolina facility and invoking the Defense Production Act to assist with obtaining the necessary materials to rebuild.
New Legislation Expands Access to SANE Care in Rural Areas The specialized training and qualifications earned by sexual assault nurse examiners help them provide the holistic care survivors need, as well as support their ability to provide expert testimony in court . Access to this level of specialized care can be limiting, especially in rural areas.
ENA recently took steps to support The Accessing Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations through Telehealth Act – new legislation that would create a program to support telehealth connections for survivors to access a sexual assault nurse examiner at any time. Through a grant program, telehealth sites could be set up in facilities without a SANE to allow their nurses to be guided from a remote site.
ENA State Leaders: Got a State Bill to Track? Contact the ENA Government Relations Team and to share the bill number: gov@ena.org.
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.
