PACs ensure nursing's seat at the

policymaking table . . . and more!

by Victoria J. Boyce, MSN, RN

It's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game - and
in politics, how you play the game can determine whether you win or not!

Truly in politics there is strength in numbers. When individuals organize around one common interest and are committed to influencing policy, a special interest group is born. This group will disseminate information to the public and policymakers and provide campaign support to candidates who reflect their views. They will advocate for citizens' preferences, voice concerns about proposed policies, and offer potential alternatives in policy development.

To do all this, special interest groups will need to lobby, create grassroots activity and form political action committees as we've done with MNA-PAC
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At MNA, we often lobby by teaching the role of the registered nurse in the political arena or how the impact of proposed policies will effect the patient population. Both lobbying and our grassroots activities are based on activity - letters and phone calls by nurses and patients alike that will influence policy changes.

Key to a PAC's success is how much the membership of the special interest group is willing to get involved through campaigning, serving as volunteers, and communicating with legislators. Elected officials know who put them in the office and who can take them out! Our very visible presence - organized, articulate, persistent - communicates to policy makers that nurses are interested in policy development and will be watching and evaluating the outcomes.

So, MNA-PAC's main function is to be a group of people who will pool their money and support candidates and legislators who share the same interests and concerns.

So, how does MNA do that? It takes knowledge and political savvy and frankly - money
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Understanding power
Democrats and Republicans understand one thing very clearly - the party in control has very distinct advantages! Those in control have more legislators, which therefore means the likelihood of more votes, and then more success with their political agenda.

The winning party controls who chairs committees, the staff budgets, even the office locations of the legislators!

Whoever controls the committees is in a strategically important position, as the chair sets the agenda. Of the thousands of pieces of legislation introduced each year, only a small percent ever make it on to a committee agenda and fewer still actually get passed on to the legislation for a vote (approximately 7%).

Because MNA works in such a fluid situation, we must strive to be politically non-partisan. Since our objective is to support candidates who have the greatest likelihood of winning and who have demonstrated their willingness to work with us on our issues regardless of party affiliation, we must be concerned about the issues before the legislators. MNA's focus, then, is on how to achieve the best policy outcomes for the profession and the patients we serve.

Bringing it home
This is just a glance at the different ways MNA is working both visibly and behind the scenes in making our views on policy issues known to our legislators. That's the reason members, nursing students and over 20 MNA staff have stepped up to the mike and testified this year on a variety of issues effecting nursing care and recruiting and retaining nurses. That's why we go out to the schools and attend meetings to explain how to become an active participant in our political process. Supporting policy that helps nurses sustain their profession is an incredible need.

What can you do? First, by attending Nurses Impact 2003, you've found a time where you can meet your legislators face to face. You'll also be able to hear what MNA feels are our areas to watch and learn how you can specifically act to make significant policy changes. Another way to help is to continue checking our "Legislative News" button under "Government Affairs" on the MNA website (www.minurses.org) and respond to the Action Alerts that are posted there. Many of our Action Alerts already have pre-formatted letters that you can e-mail - what could be easier than that?

And of course, we need your money. MNA-PAC donations are $1.66 a month and can be deducted from your checking account. Sign up today, please!

Your professional future and the welfare of your patients rely on our ability to shape health policy. Isn't it worth the investment?