California ENA Government Affairs Committee

Council-Chapter Government Affairs Award

Recognizes an ENA Council or Chapter for outstanding efforts to increase member involvement in government affairs and advance public policy supporting nursing, safety, health care and injury prevention issues. The California State ENA Council Government Affairs Committee co-sponsored legislation to include an opioid-reversal agent in first aid kits. In 2022, several committee members co-authored an ENA General Assembly resolution addressing a gap in emergency department fentanyl testing, which served as a blueprint for a bipartisan bill introduced in the 118th and 119th Congress. The committee chair actively lobbied for ENA support and, subsequently, was featured as part of the EN411 Action Network. California’s GAC successfully lobbied for new state legislation that increased penalties for assault and battery against health care workers inside the ED, making penalties equal to assault and battery against other health care workers. The state council continues to advocate and inspire members to communicate with legislators and ensure their voices are heard. A favorite quote from one member sums up the council’s passion for advocacy: “If you don’t have a seat at the table, you’ll be on the menu.”