We heard our members were seeking more information about the advocacy and government affairs efforts that occur throughout the year on behalf of the WHNP-BC profession and organization. This newsletter is designed to share the highlights from the first quarter of this year. Enjoy!

We are excited to provide you with quarterly updates on Advocacy and Government Affairs matter throughout the year. Most recently, NPWH held its first inaugural Advocacy and Government Affairs Committee meeting last month. NPWH has recently restructured our advocacy committee to include members from the organization. The NPWH Board of Directors has been intentional in restructuring and updating the structures of our volunteer committees in our recent Bylaws review work. The Board has made changes intentionally inclusive of members’ ability to contribute to the organization and, equally important, the profession. This restructuring will allow for engagement and leadership opportunities within the organization for interested members. 

The purpose of the Advocacy and Government Affairs Committee is to recommend the NPWH advocacy agenda; initiate and respond to the health, social, and public policy issues affecting women’s health and NPWH members. 

The committee reviewed NPWH’s 2023-2024 strategic priorities pertaining to Advocacy and Government Affairs. These priorities were developed by the NPWH Board of Directors, working with NPWH staff, and taking into consideration data points provided through membership surveys. Your voice was the driving data point in all identified priorities. You also requested that we develop an advocacy toolkit to support your advocacy efforts representing the WHNP profession and those who provide women’s and gender-related healthcare, in particular at the state advocacy level. As a first step, the committee will develop a general toolkit to be followed by more topic-specific information.

The committee will be exploring, creating, and disseminating resources for WHNPs to initiate and continue conversations with policymakers and key stakeholders and become effective advocates for the profession. Be on the lookout in 2023-2024 as this committee comes together to ensure members have the resources to advocate and strengthen the WHNP profession.

Thank you to the following members who volunteered to join us for our inaugural Advocacy and Government Affairs Committee:

With Kind Regards,

Komkwuan Paruchabutr, DNP, FNP-BC, WHNP-BC, CNM, FACNM, NPWH President-Elect, Advocacy and Government Affairs Committee Co-Chair

Heather Quaile, DNP, WHNP-BC, SANE, Advocacy and Government Affairs Committee Co-Chair, NPWH Treasurer

Update on NPWH Advocacy Efforts

January –March 2023 

Often we are asked to sign letters to support appropriations to fund research and services specifically designated to women and children, as well as support specific legislation that will support the WHNP/APRN professionals as well as healthcare policies to support access to evidence-based healthcare. 



In the past three months, NPWH has reviewed, commented, and signed on to 14 “letters of request” or “support” at the federal level with organizations including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology (ACOG), National Nursing Coalition (NCC), The Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition (HPNEC) to name a few.

Highlights of the letters we signed on to include the following requests: 

• A request asking Congress for increased funding for Title VIII and NINR
• A request asking Congress to take legislative action to ensure waivers are permanent that were enacted during the Public Health Emergency
• A request to support the Hereditary Cancer Act, which is a crucial piece of legislation that would address unacceptable care gaps in Medicare beneficiary access to genetic testing for hereditary cancer risk, evidence-based screening, and risk-reducing interventions when medically necessary and appropriate
• Requesting the House of Representatives to provide permanent protections for “Dreamers” who were brought to the US as children and provide them a path to citizenship

• Funding request to Congress to support at least $1 billion for Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant in FY 24 appropriations bill
• Funding request to Congress to provide $100 million for Surveillance of Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies at the CDC. This funding would enable to track of more threats and lead to nationwide preparedness and response needed to protect pregnant individuals and infants in the US from emerging
• Requesting President Joe Biden to support stronger standards relating to particle pollution  

Nurses Improving the Environmental

Health of Women and Children (NIEHWC)

•  In December 2022, NIEHWC was proud to assist the Campaign for Safer Cosmetics and Black Women for Wellness in promoting their webinar, “Toxic Beauty Products and Black Women’s Health: A Webinar for Nurses”. We hope that NPWH members were able to attend this informative webinar and thank the sponsors for making this available to our NIEHWC colleagues and WHNPs, and other APRNs working in women’s health!
• During our February meeting, leaders from the March of Dimes Mother Baby Action Network (M-BAN) Environmental Justice workgroup presented their work in developing briefs regarding key environmental issues affecting maternal and newborn health. We look forward to disseminating this brief with our NIEHWC colleagues as soon as it is released!
• We are working with the M-BAN Environmental Justice workgroup to advocate for the representation of maternal and newborn health to be included in all EPA and other Federal efforts, workgroups, and recommendations

Friends of the Office for Research in Women’s Health 

ORWH Director Janine Clayton, MD, FARVO

Heather Maurer, NPWH Chief Executive Officer and Kwuan Paruchabutr, NPWH President-Elect.

Prior to the reception, NPWH CEO, Heather Maurer, joined other FORWH advocates in attending Hill visits to advocate for funding to support the important work of the Office for Research in Women’s Health and the need to prioritize women's health/research.

Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance

NPWH is a core partner in the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA) Perinatal Mental Health Education and Screening project. The goal of this project, led by MMHLA and the March of Dimes, is to “assure that all pregnant and postpartum people are educated about and screened for perinatal mental health disorders and connected with resources for recovery.”

Throughout the past year, MMHLA and their partners conducted focus groups with key stakeholders across the country to gather information about barriers to screening and resources, which helped to inform the final report. Thanks to the NPWH members who attended the clinician roundtable to provide critical insights

On March 14, 2023, NPWH representatives joined MMHLA’s Advocacy Day to inform legislators about critical maternal mental health concerns, and to advocate for increased federal funding for maternal mental health programs.

Full Practice Authority and Issues Affecting WHNP Practice

NPWH continues to partner with our collaborating APRN organizations to advocate for full practice authority, including NPs, in evolving payment policies and other important issues. We regularly meet with policy staff from other APRN and nursing organizations to ensure that WHNP-BCs are represented in these discussions and advocacy efforts. We wish to thank AANP for its leadership in supporting advocacy and policy efforts in ensuring full practice authority for all NPs. Congratulations! Utah becomes 27th state with Full Practice Authority!

NPWH Clinical Position Statements

FOLLOW NPWH ON SOCIAL MEDIA & LEARN MORE