ONS Center for Advocacy and Health Policy
When you work with people living with cancer on a daily basis, you have a unique perspective. These are the insights that policy makers need to hear.
Advocacy is defined as an act that speaks recommends, supports, or speaks in favor of a cause or a proposal.
Advocacy is one of ONS’s core values and reflects the Society’s dedication to supporting people with cancer and the oncology nursing profession. ONS maintains relationships with federal agencies and nonprofit organizations that are developing policy and research that affect patients and the profession, such as the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, National Cancer Institute, and National Institutes of Health. The Society expands its voice by participating collectively in health policy coalitions, including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Health Professions Nursing Education Coalition, and One Voice Against Cancer.
But what makes ONS advocacy meaningful is the voice of oncology nursing.
Our members frequently testify before Congress, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the National Institutes of Health. The legislative action workshops that ONS hosts enable you to partner with legislators and share your real-life experiences. No matter your role, your position, or your individual interests, you can participate in ONS’s advocacy work.
Take Action
Visit the ONS Action Center to find the most urgent issues for oncology nursing advocacy, learn about your elected officials and candidates, look up specific legislation, and sign up to be notified when ONS, nursing, or your patients need your voice.
Health Policy Priorities and Agenda
Our three current goals are to preserve and promote oncology nurses’ practice to the full scope of their ability, improve the quality of cancer care, and advocate for payment models that incorporate the work of oncology nurses and positively impact oncology practice.
Position Statements
We take a stand on the healthcare issues that affect oncology nurses. Each of our position statements is spurred by member interest and developed by a diverse, unbiased committee of experts, including the ONS Board of Directors. We don’t seek or accept commercial support for writing, printing, and/or disseminating these positions.
Health Policy Resources
We rely on a network of U.S. federal agencies and nonprofit organizations to stay ahead of advances in cancer care—and so can you. Here are some of the trustworthy institutions whose news, research, and policy decisions affect oncology nurses.
Health Policy Coalitions
Because we're stronger together, ONS is an active member of the following health policy coalitions.
Advocacy and Health Policy Events
Learn more about the ONS Center for Advocacy and Health Policy Events such as Health Policy Summits and Capitol Hill Days.
Advocacy Webinars and Podcasts
ONS engages oncology nurses throughout the country, connecting them virtually to elected officials, policy leaders, and decision makers via video conferencing, telephone interviews, and podcasts.
Advocacy Highlight
Watch a Video Message from First Lady Jill Biden, Ed.D., in Honor of Oncology Nursing Month
First Lady Jill Biden sent her gratitude in honor of Oncology Nursing Month. “Through the Biden Cancer Moonshot, we’re working to end cancer as we know it. And we can’t do that without you—your experience and expertise, and your dedication to your patients. So, on behalf of all of the families like ours—thank you for all that you do”.