NOVA hosted its annual Hill Day this month (March 7) with over forty-five nurses coming into DC to advocate for VA healthcare and the nursing profession.

Speaking from our 2024 Legislative Priority Goals, NOVA nurses met with their congressional members and urged support for a strong budget to enable VA to continue providing timely access to high quality healthcare for Veterans. View a list of our Priority Goals.

As they walked around Capitol Hill all were wearing buttons noting “VA Nurses Fighting for Veterans and VA Healthcare,” to remind everyone of the importance of the work they do at VA facilities around the country. NOVA continues to strongly advocate for a VA that provides the highest level of coordinated care in a setting that understands Veterans’ medical needs.

The NOVA Board met with VA House and Senate Committee staff to discuss critical issues and to push for provisions from several bills (S.10 VA Careers Act, Elizabeth Dole Home Health Act) we believe are critical to what healthcare will look like in the future. This includes efforts to bolster recruitment, retention, hiring and salaries for VHA and others (H.R. 1315, The HEALTH Act and S. 2649, Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act) that would harm VA by reducing internal funding by increasing healthcare dollars to community providers.

As we move into April and May, it is likely that some of the language /provisions from these bills will be debated on the House & Senate floor as part of an Omnibus Veterans Package which is being negotiated between House and Senate VA Committees now.

There will also be hearings and debates on Fiscal Year 2025 funding for VA which is key to taking care of Veterans throughout the system.

Speaking up and advocating for what you need to take care of Veterans is key to VA remaining strong and continuing its coordination of care for all Veterans.

I urge all of you to continue the conversation by meeting with members in your District and State offices. As we approach the 2024 election, rest assured members want to know what is happening in their hometown and States. Find your member and Senator’s offices and sign up for their newsletters so you know when they are home hosting Town Halls and other community events.

It is the best way to have your voice heard – along with voting of course!!

U.S. House

U.S. Senate