Nursing

Legislative Action Interest Group

The Legislative Action Interest Group (LAIG) is a monthly forum for patient care staff with an interest in legislative advocacy. Primarily made up of direct care nurses, advanced practice nurses, nurse leaders and staff from the Office of Government Relations, the LAIG meets to discuss state and federal legislation related to nursing practice and pediatric health care. This setting allows for dynamic discussion of current legislative issues and how they might impact the delivery of pediatric health care.

Care providers who participate in the LAIG have grown in their understanding of the legislative process and are increasingly aware of health policy challenges and opportunities facing our Massachusetts and the country. In turn, feedback and active participation on the part of providers ensures the Government Relations staff is well equipped to accurately represent the daily work and challenges faced by patient care providers when advocating for public policies that reflect needs of children and those who care for them. Both staffs benefit from an expanding view of real-world implications of policy decisions and have used the forum in developing collaborative advocacy strategies.

LAIG members have provided testimony on nursing bills at the state level and traveled to Washington, DC to participate in patient advocacy events. The Legislative Action Interest Group also serves as foundation for vetting grass-roots nursing advocacy efforts within Boston Children's Hospital.

The Legislative Action Interest group has been meeting monthly and participation has been increasing. There is always great energy and enthusiasm among the group as we work to promote nursing involvement in legislation & health care policy.

Goals

• Increase awareness of various health care related issues impacting children & their families
• Education regarding current legislation both on the state and federal level
• Message development and dissemination - letter writing/phone call campaigns to your elected officials
• Participate in Lobbying Days at the State House including meeting with your elected officials