Legislator | nursing | gcu
A great example of a legislator and nurse who is advocating for improved healthcare delivery is Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois). As an Iraq War veteran and former Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs, she has a long history of championing healthcare policy that serves the needs of veterans, their families and all Americans. She has fought to expand access to quality care through her sponsorship or support of various bills such as the Veteran’s Access To Care Act which would allow veterans to seek treatment at non-VA facilities if they experience significant wait times for VA appointments; The VA MISSION Act which streamlines services available at different departments within the VA; The Military Family Leave Modernization Act which increases family leave benefits for current military personnel; And finally, The CARE For All Americans Act which seeks to establish universal health coverage in America.
Senator Duckworth’s advocacy efforts demonstrate how legislators/nurses can have a powerful impact on improving healthcare outcomes. Through legislative action she has helped pass meaningful legislation aimed at protecting those who serve our country while ensuring that everyone can access quality care regardless of their financial situation. Her work is a reminder that nurses are agents of change who can use their skillsets both inside and outside the clinical setting to make a difference in people’s lives.