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6th Annual CANP Lobby Day Wrap-up
The California Association for Nurse Practitioners (CANP) completed its most successful Lobby Day to date on Tuesday, May 27, with over 60 NPs from across the state flooding the halls of the State Capitol in support of Assembly Bill 1436, the nurse practitioner scope of practice bill for California. Currently, the bill is scheduled to be heard before the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee on June 9 (the hearing has been moved to June 16).
The day began with a bang as our NP lobbyists participated in a press conference featuring Assemblymember Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina), author of AB 1436, CANP President Jill Olmstead, and CANP Director of Health Policy and Practice Susanne Phillips. Participants outside of CANP included cardiologist Dr. Robert Blum and NP patient Vivek Maddala from Southern California, who also vocalized their support for AB 1436 from the physician and patient perspective. Our speakers strongly advocated that nurse practitioner scope of practice be defined during interviews with radio and TV reporters, producing incredibly positive stories which aired on KFBK-AM, Sacramento’s #1 news/talk station. Click here for complete report of media coverage. Previous to legislator visits, participants were briefed by Susie Phillips, media specialists from Randle Communications, and our lobbyists, Kristen Beard-King and Kristy Wiese. The team covered messaging to be used with legislators, and educated participants on how to effectively communicate the importance of AB 1436 to our health care system, how it will improve patient care throughout the state, and why they must support the bill. Legislative packets and talking points were dispersed to the group and our NP lobbyists took the Capitol by storm, visiting over 50 legislative offices and garnering a majority support for the bill.
Afterwards, we gathered at the Pyramid Brewery in downtown Sacramento for a post Lobby Day reception to celebrate a successful experience and to share the positive feedback our lobbyists were able to report. Thanks to all who participated to make this year’s Lobby Day one to remember! And a special THANK YOU to the Sacramento Region (6), NSO and Mountain Lifeflight for their generous support of the 6th Annual CANP Lobby Day.
What Now?
As previously stated, AB 1436 will be heard before the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee on June 9 (the hearing has been moved to June 16). The passage of AB 1436 is dependent upon your grassroots efforts and those of your colleagues, patients, and family. CANP urges you to send your elected State Senator and Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas (Chair of Senate B,P&E) letters of support for AB 1436. You can email the alert or print it out and fax it directly to the Senator's office. The template is provided however, you must edit the letter to include your own personal story on how this legislation will affect your practice.If you have colleagues, family or patients who would like to support our efforts, you can direct them to canpweb.org to sign up for CapWIZ and use this program to send their support. Users do not need to be members of CANP. Additionally, you can send this message to others via email under the "Tell-A-Friend" tab.
Photos from 6th Annual CANP Lobby Day Press Conference
Assemblymember Ed Hernandez addresses the press
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CANP President Jill Olmstead, NP, addresses the press
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CANP Director of Health Policy and Practice, Susanne Phillips, NP, addressess the press
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Patient advocate addresses the press
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