The 114th U.S. Congress: A 101 for Nurses
Webinar Overview
On January 6, 2015, members of the 114th U.S. Congress convened in our nation’s capital to begin a new legislative session. This Congress will need to work collaboratively to address major policies impacting health care. Join the Nursing Community for a Webinar discussing how the political landscape will likely influence policies of interest. The speakers will provide listeners with an overview of the political makeup of the House of Representatives and the Senate, how Congressional dynamics influence the legislative process, pressing issues for Congress to address, and what nurses can do to engage as informed advocates.
NOTE: This Webinar is open to everyone including non-members, communities of interest, practice representatives, and AACN member schools including deans, faculty, staff and students.
Webinar Speakers
MaryAnne Sapio
Vice President of Federal Government Affairs
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
MaryAnne Sapio has served as the Vice President of Federal Government Affairs for the American Association of Nurse Practitioners since 2013. With nearly fifteen years of work at the federal level, MaryAnne is well known for her health policy experience and expertise. In her capacity at the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, she directs all aspects of the federal legislative agenda, including deploying and coordinating grassroots efforts and PAC activity.
Prior to joining the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, MaryAnne spent seven years at the American Health Care Association, where she served as Senior Director, Government Relations and Federal Advocacy. While at the American Health Care Association, MaryAnne coordinated lobbying activity on issues related to Medicaid, Medicare Part D, Appropriations, Assisted Living, Developmental Disabilities, Survey and Certification, and Life Safety. In addition to her advocacy duties, she managed the Association’s grassroots team, which was successfully deployed during the health care reform debate and remained a key player after the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Mrs. Sapio began her federal government affairs work in Washington, DC in 2002 when she served as Director of Federal Affairs at Wheat Government Relations representing a diverse group of clients.
In 1999, MaryAnne had the distinction of being selected as Miss California. In that capacity, she served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the State of California making numerous presentations to and for organizations such as The American Cancer Society and The Susan G. Komen Foundation. Notably, she received the Distinguished Individual Service Award for her advocacy of breast cancer awareness.
Mrs. Sapio holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Marketing from the University of Phoenix. MaryAnne and her husband live in Arlington, VA with their two children, Jack and Michael. She is a member of Women In Government Relations and the American League of Lobbyists.
Lauren Inouye
Association Director of Government Affairs
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Lauren Inouye is the Associate Director of Government Affairs for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, which represents over 750 baccalaureate and graduate schools of nursing across the country. In this role, she works to advance policy and advocacy initiatives surrounding higher nursing education, research, and practice. In addition she manages AACN’s Grassroots Network comprised of over 11,000 AACN member deans, faculty, students, and practicing nurses.
Prior to her role at AACN, Lauren practiced as Registered Nurse in the Medical ICU at Georgetown University Hospital and served as a co-chair on the hospital's Legislative Council from 2009-2011. She was a 2011 recipient of the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing’s “100 Extraordinary Nurses” award. Lauren received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Michigan and her Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University.
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The Nursing Community is a coalition of 61 national nursing organizations committed to improving the health and health care of our nation by collaborating to support registered nurses. Collectively the Nursing Community represents nearly one million registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, nurse executives, nursing students, and nursing faculty.