The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) asserts that clinicians have a responsibility and obligation to address hospice and palliative care public policy and regulatory issues that impact the health-related quality of life of patients and caregivers living with serious illness across the lifespan.
HPNA acts independently and with collaborating organizations to address hospice and palliative care issues at the national, state, local, and regional levels. HPNA currently serves on the board of the National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care and regularly works with other national coalitions in a collaborative environment. The following statements serve as HPNA’s guiding principles.
View the Guiding Principles
State Ambassador Program
HPNA State Ambassadors are members with experience in hospice and palliative nursing who have the desire to learn about the policy-making process at the local, state, and federal levels. These individuals serve as a general resource for HPNA members regarding legislative and regulatory issues at the state level and provide information about state/regional policy issues on a quarterly basis. HPNA State Ambassadors also disseminate information about national policy issues as directed by HPNA and encourage HPNA nurses at the state and local levels to participate in HPNA public policy activities.
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Recent Activity
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FY 2026 Nursing Funding Request
House Nursing Caucus leaders are circulating a Dear Colleague letter that requests $530 million for the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Nursing Workforce Development programs (Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. As you know, these programs are critical to the nursing community and support nursing students, nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). HPNA needs your help to get as many representatives’ signatures on the letter as possible to make a strong case to Appropriations Committee leaders to support this funding level for FY 2026.
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Updates on Recent Executive Actions Impacting Public Policy Priorities
In response to the unprecedented number of executive actions that have been issued in the past few months, HPNA’s advocacy team has also created a webpage with updated information on potential impacts to HPNA’s policy priorities. The webpage is regularly updated with new executive orders and status updates, and the advocacy team continues to monitor legislative, regulatory, and legal changes that may impact nursing and hospice and palliative care. Learn more
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HPNA’s 2025 Policy Priorities
A new HPNA publication is available outlining our public policy priorities for 2025, which include: robust funding for nursing education and workforce funding, eliminating barriers preventing nurses from practicing at the top of their licensure and training, strengthening the Medicare hospice benefit, supporting palliative care research, and improving patient access to high-quality hospice and palliative care. Learn more