Greetings NOVA Members –

As the new year begins, NOVA will be preparing for many exciting events in Washington D.C. 

First up, our 2020 Hill Day which will commence on Thursday, March 5th in our Nation’s Capital – Please check all of NOVA’s Social Media platforms and the Website for ongoing updates/How to sign up and lots of other information to help you get ready to “Storm the Hill” for VA nurses.

For more information click here.

We will be providing training in a webinar hosted by me on Wednesday, January 29.  You will have the opportunity to partner with others who have participated in DC activities in the past and be mentored by NOVA Legislative Committee Members to help you in your journey to becoming a strong advocate.

This is an outstanding opportunity for NOVA to discuss nursing within VHA with Members of Congress and voice your concerns on issues that matter to all of you.

Congress is set to begin the second session of the 116^th and as expected, VA and Veterans healthcare and services remains a priority for the House and Senate VA Committees. The Senate will have a new Committee Chairman – Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) - who has stated publicly that suicide prevention and oversight of VA programs will be his top priorities. The House has also posted their priorities which include suicide prevention, women’s and minority health, toxic exposure and VA oversight.

NOVA will be formulating its own 2020 Legislative Priority Goals in the coming weeks and will use them as our “foundation” when discussing critical issues facing VHA.  They will also be the leave behind for our Hill Day and the source of information discussed with lawmakers all year.

 I encourage all of you to stay current on our advocacy efforts by visiting the NOVA Website and watching our Social Media accounts – information on hearings and issues moving quickly through Congress are always provided as they happen!

I urge you to continue to voice your views as to how, when and where Veterans receive care as VA moves through any and all new forms of healthcare delivery. All of you remain at the forefront in ensuring VA continues to carry out their core mission of taking care of our Nation’s Heroes. 

Stay Tuned!

Teresa Morris, Director, Advocacy & Government Relations