AAPPN’s 2019 Lobby Day is Wednesday, February 6. Raise your hand and let your legislators know about the work you do and the importance of Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses in our communities. But don’t delay! It is very important that you make appointments with your legislators today, as their schedules fill up quickly. How to […]
News & Updates
Governor’s 2019-21 Budget Priorities
Governor Inslee recently released his budget for 2019-21. Several of the Governor’s budget priorities focus on mental and behavioral health. AAPPN is committed to working with the Governor’s office, the State Legislature, and community stakeholders to expand access to mental health services, advocate for our patients, and represent our profession in Olympia and across Washington […]
Bree Collaborative to consider Volk issue
The Bree Collaborative voted to approve the mental health proviso as one of their topics. This means that the Collaborative will consider the impact of the Volk decision, specifically regarding the Duty to Warn bill—which AAPPN supported—which would have nullified many of the damaging impacts of Volk. The study period will begin in 2019. We […]
Legislative Update: March 2018
The legislature passed its final 2018 supplemental operating budget and adjourned sine die on Thursday, March 8. Throughout the session, AAPPN and its lobbyists worked with several mental health care organizations, including: Volk Clinician/Attorney Workgroup WSNA ARNPs United WPA WSSCSW NAMI The final supplemental budget included funding for mental health access and for addressing the […]
Legislative Update: February 2018
Volk Decision As you no doubt know, Senate Bill 5800, Duty to Warn, did not move out of the Judiciary Committee. Our lobbyists, Melissa Johnson and Jennifer Muhm, along with the lobbyists for the clinical social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and others, have worked with Rep. Jinkins to find an avenue to resolve the issue. The […]
Legislative Update: January 2018
Volk Decision Where the Volk bill is: The bill is in the House Judicial Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Jinkins. Rep. Jinkins—and the Democratic Party in general—opposes legislative action which would overrule court decisions. Thus, any bill to reverse Volk is probably not going to come out of committee as long as Rep. Jinkins […]
Legislative Update: October 2017
Recent Advocacy Activities Although the State Legislature is not in session, there were plenty of advocacy activities in October! AAPPN was invited to take part in stakeholder study conducted by the University of Washington School of Law regarding the impact of the Volk Decision. As part of the study, two AAPPN members were interviewed. They […]
Legislative Update: September 2017
Priorities for 2018 Health Policy/Government Relations Committee identified the following as its advocacy priorities for the coming legislative session: Continue to improve communication between AAPPN’s advocacy team and AAPPN members. Connect with other mental health care associations Encourage AAPPN members to meet in-district with their legislators during recesses Recent Advocacy Activities AAPPN asked its Full […]
Legislative Update: July 2017
Final legislative update for the 2017 Washington State legislative session.
Legislative Update: June 2017
The Legislature is in its third special session to finalize the budget. Bills still in committee will be reintroduced next year since 2018 is the second year of the two-year biennium. AAPPN Priority Issues The Volk v Demeerleer decision (HB 1810 and SB 5800) – Support Background: In its Volk decision, the state Supreme Court […]
Legislative Update: SB 5800 Duty to Warn
Representative Jinkins on the Judiciary Committee of the House is not moving this bill forward. We urge you to contact her and your own House Representative and ask for a floor vote on SB 5800. Use this link to find your own representative.
Legislative Update: March 2017
Health Policy/Government Relations Committee March 2017 Update AAPPN encourages its members to learn about the issues and share their opinions with their Congressional delegation on both the federal and state level. Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses are also encouraged to join our advocacy listserv to keep abreast of the changing legislative landscape. To join the advocacy […]