Policy and Political Updates
- Click on this link to view a Legislative Update from ONA's Tiffany Bukoffsky
- Read below for more on ONA's new candidate endorsement policy.
- Click here to read ONA's November 2021 Legislative update on the following Bills:
- Covid Hazard Pay
- House Bill 110 (Hospital Licensing Regulations)
- Senate Bill 3 (Nurse Compact)
- House Bill 163, Senate Bill 129 and Budget Amendment (Mandatory Nurse Overtime)
- House Bill 122 (Telehealth)
- House Bill 110 (Hospital Licensure/Operating Budget Bill)
- House Bill 90 and Senate Bill 22 (Executive Orders pertaining to public health)
- House Bill 6 (Temporary Nurse Licensure)
- Senate Bill 48 (Cultural Competency Instructions)
- Senate Bill 161 (Surgical Smoke)
- House Bill 253 (Vaccine Proof Restrictions)
- House Bill 248 (Vaccination Service Restrictions)
- House Bill 337 (One-time bonus payments for first responders)
- Senate Bill 135 (Higher Education Reform)
- And more!
- Click here to read an update on HB 248 Hearing
- Click here to read an update on HB 400
- Click here to read ONA's June 2021 Legislative update on the following Bills:
- Senate Bill 3 (Nurse Licensure Compact)
- House Bill 163, Senate Bill 129 & Budget Amendment (Mandatory Overtime)
- Nurse Title Protection
- House Bill 122 (Telehealth)
- House Bill 110 (Hospital Licensure/Operating Budget Bill)
- House Bill 90 & Senate Bill 22 (Legislative Oversight for Governor)
- House Bill 6 (Temporary Nurse License)
- Senate Bill 48 (Cultural Competency Instructions)
- Senate Bill 161 (Surgical Smoke)
- House Bill 253 (Vaccine Proof Restrictions)
- House Bill 248 (Vaccination Service Restrictions)
- House Bill 337 (One-time bonus payments for first responders)
- Senate Bill 135 (Higher Education Reform)
- The Ohio House voted to expel Representative Larry Householder from the legislature, amid the federal investigation against him. The vote took place on June 17 and he was expelled by a vote of 75-21.
- The US House and Senate passed a federal bill that will recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday. It awaits President Biden's signature.
- The below ONA Board-approved letter is being delivered to each member of the Ohio legislature Friday, June 18. A last-minute amendment was added to the state budget that would allow physicians, facilities, and payers to refuse to provide care to any patient, if it goes against his/her moral or religious beliefs. We discussed this amendment with the Board during last Friday's meeting and crafted the following letter. www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/state/2021/06/13/...
- Watch the ONA Legislative Process presentation to members:
- Read ONA's February 2021 Legislative Update
Visit The Healthcare Collaborative's website and click on their News Page for the latest updates in healthcare improvement.
Guide to Elected Officials
Hamilton County
Brown County
Clermont County
Clinton County
Warren County
Local Government Meeting Schedules
We encourage members to stay in touch with political and health issues in your community.
Cincinnati City Council
Cincinnati Board of Health
HCPH (Hamilton County Public Health)
Warren County
Lebanon City Council
Warren County Board of Health
Middletown City Council
Clermont County
Milford City Council
Clermont County Board of Health
Clinton County
Clinton County Board of Health
*Note: There is no schedule listed on their website. They meet the 4th Monday of every month at 4 p.m. For more information call 937-382-3829.
Brown County
Brown County Health Department
How to Write Your Legislator
Members of the United States Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Ohio General Assembly should know that registered nurses are part of their constituencies. As a professional person you are responsible for informing those in public service of the legislative interests of the nursing profession. Writing a letter to your legislator is an effective means of communicating your views. Hearing from home helps a legislator stay informed of local conditions that might be the subject of legislative action. The suggestions outlined below will help you be more effective in your legislative letter writing.
Use the Correct Name, Address and Salutation
Address federal legislators as:
The Honorable ____________________
Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C., 20510
Dear Senator:
The Honorable ____________________
House Office Building
Washington, D.C., 20515
Dear Ms. or Mr.:
Address state legislators as:
The Honorable ____________________
The Ohio Senate
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Dear Senator:
The Honorable ____________________
The Ohio House of Representatives
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Identify Yourself and the Association You Represent: If you are a constituent, begin your letter by saying so. Present your opinion in an intelligent, well-considered manner. Sign your name and be sure to include RN. Also include your address. Send a copy of the letter and response to ONA so they will also be informed.
Identify References to Legislation Correctly by Number, Title, or Both: Make clear what your position is and what exactly you would like your legislator to do. Whenever possible, refer to a specific bill by name and number. Write about only one bill or issue in each letter. Most legislators file by subject or bill.
Make Your Letter Brief, Specific and Straight-Forward: Write legibly or type. Letters should be business-like, concise and clearly worded.
Be Polite: Legislators react adversely to pressure tactics in the nature of promises or threats. Both are offensive and self-defeating.
Use Your Own Thoughts and Words: Make the letter your own. Form letters, even handwritten ones, are easy to recognize. Including your own personal experience is the best supporting evidence. Tell your legislator how the issue would affect you, your family, your clients, your organization, your profession or your community.
Substantiate Your Position with Concise Statements of Supportive Evidence: Avoid an emotional approach. A legislator may appreciate learning of any specialized knowledge or experience which qualifies you to speak with authority on a subject. Ask your legislator to state his/her position in a reply.
Offer to Provide Additional Information: Your legislator cannot possibly know everything about every issue. Indicate your willingness to be of further assistance, especially if you are aware of data or research which may be helpful.
Time Your Letter Appropriately: Timing is important. Letters should arrive after a bill has been formally introduced. The legislator will appreciate your views most when a bill is up for study and action.
Follow the Issue to a Conclusion: If you do not get a reply, write again. Follow through to learn the results of the vote on the bill. If your legislator pleases you with a vote on an issue, write to tell him/her so. A letter complimenting your legislator will be remembered favorably the next time you write.
The hardest part of legislative letter writing is getting started. Assistance is available from your District Committee on Legislation and ONA. Legislative Directories listing the names and home addresses of Ohio’s representatives in the United States Senate and House of Representatives and in the Ohio General Assembly are available to ONA members in the Advocacy section of the Ohio Nurses Association. If you need information concerning your legislative district or the identity of your legislators, please contact your County Board of Elections.