Puget Sound Oncology Nursing Society
Government Relations Committee...
Linda Hohengarten, Chair
As an oncology nurse, you need to know how the decisions made by your policymakers affect your ability to deliver the highest possible level of care. One of the most important things you can do to ensure quality care is taking actions to influence these decisions.
"Introduction to Health Policy Advocacy," a self-directed online course, demonstrates how, in a minimal amount of time, you can have a voice and an impact on these critical decisions.
You'll find out why advocacy is important to oncology nurses, learn about the legislative process, discover how your advocacy efforts can play a role in changing policy, and understand how you can use the ONS Legislative Action center (www.onslac.org) to easily take political action.
Course tuition is free to ONS members, with a $5 processing fee. The non-member price is $25. Tuition includes unlimited access to the course.
At the completion of the course, you will earn 1.8 continuing-education credit. Click on the link for complete information: http://onsopcontent.ons.org/Meetings/HealthPolicy/home.html.
About the committee....
Participation on this committee does not require regular attendance at committee meetings. The work of the committee entails sharing information with others and encouraging participation in as many governmental activities as possible. Email alerts are sent out via the PSONS. The purpose of the committee is:
Please contact Linda Hohengarten for more information about committee activities.
Thank you for taking action to support ONS?s efforts in the nation?s Capitol!
Washington State Resources
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General entrance site into Washington state legislation and information |
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Voter Information Hotline |
1-800-448-4881 |
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Legislative Hotline 1-800-562-6000 TDD 1-800-635-9993, BILL ROOM direct telephone (360)786-7573 |
To leave an opinion or concern about government, or for information on the status of bills, or to obtain copies of bills, call the Legislative Hotline of Bill Room. To facilitate inquiries, provide your district number or the name of at least one legislator in your district. |
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Legislative Bldg./P.O. Box 40002 Olympia, WA 98504-0002 |
(360)902-4111/(360)753-6780, FAX (360)753-4110, TDD (360)753-6466 |
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Campaign contributors are listed. Activities of various political action committees are shown. |
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(206) 443-9762 |
King County Nurses Association - (206)535-0997 Pierce County Nurses Association - (253)535-8559 ANA - (202)554-4444 |
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National Resources
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Provides searchable information about the US Congress and the legislative process. Search bills by topic, bill number, or title |
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1600 Pennsylvania Ave Washington D.C. 20500-0003 web - http://www.whitehouse.gov/ |
main (202)456-1414, comments (202)456-1111, FAX (202)456-2461 |
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Office of Vice Pres./Old Executive Office Bldg. Washington D.C. 20501-0001 email |
(202)456-7044 |
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US Congress: Congressional Switchboard |
(202)224-3121 |
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This site will also link you to your representatives |
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This site will also link you to your representatives |
Community and Professional Resources
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American Cancer Society Action Alert Network |
1-800-729-1151, ext. 3309 |
ACS Northwest Area Office - (206) 869-5588, East King - (425)869-5588, Pierce County - (253)272-5767, Statewide Office - 1-800-ACS-2345, Eastern Washington Area Office - (509)326-5802 |
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a service of the American Nurses Association |
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ON-Stat |
501 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15220-2749 ONS website: http://www.ons.org |
(412) 921-7373 |
a program established by ONS to establish a group of grassroots members who can respond to specific issues. To sign up call ONS |
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1402 18th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122-4126 |
Citizen Information Service: (206) 329-4848 FAX (206) 329-1273, |
Click on "They Represent You" to contact local and state officials. There is also a connection with the State League of Women Voters at this site Open weekdays: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM |
Federal - Services
USING INTERNET: LOBBYING AND INFLUENCING OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS
There are several ways of using internet to learn about and contact our elected officials:
Go to the homepage for the State of Washington at http://www.wa.gov/, check on Index Washington, Select state Government Index, to reach the Governor, click on Executive Branch, then Governor. To contact a legislator, select Legislative Branch, then either Senate or House, and there after choose the district or legislature you are interested in.
ADDRESSING YOUR ELECTED OFFICIAL:
When writing a letter or e-mail to your elected official always include your name and address. The correct salutations for elected officials are as follows:
President: "Dear President Bush"
Vice-President: "Dear Vice-President Cheney"
All other elected officials should be addressed either as "The Honorable + Name, or Position + Name". As in, "The Honorable Jane Doe" or "Councilmember Jane Doe".