Budgets are political documents. When we look at a spreadsheet, for many of us the numbers are jumbles and the lines begin to blur. But reviewed closely, budgets are the prioritization of federal policy.

On June 12, 2017, President Trump named Norman Sharpless, MD, as director of National Cancer Institute (NCI). Sharpless, formerly the director of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of North Carolina, is a practicing oncologist and cancer researcher. He will take over as for Doug Lowry, MD, who has been the NCI’s acting director since 2015.

There is a difference between campaigning and governing. Running for office is about putting out bold ideas and galvanizing a base of supporters who are energized by the opportunity for real change. It’s exhilarating and fluid. The momentum can be like a rock concert, and people are carried away with excitement about the future.

As the largest healthcare profession and the one most trusted by the public in the annual Gallup survey, nurses have the power to improve the health of communities throughout the country by bringing their expertise into the boardroom. However, we are an absent voice in so many of those boardrooms.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently released the Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, 1975–2014. According to the report, cancer death rates fell for 11 of the 16 most common cancers in men and 13 of the 16 most common cancers in women. Death rates fell for female breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancers, among others. The report also notes that incidences of cancer decreased in men but plateaued for women in the same time period.

On March 15, 2017, the Trump administration released its first budget proposal, slashing federal spending in many areas of health care, education, environmental protection, and the sciences while increasing funding for defense and homeland security. The proposed budget would decrease spending for the Department of Health and Human Services by nearly 18%, which includes a 20% budget cut for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—a decrease of nearly $6 billion. This stands to impact a number of cancer-related research programs developing new treatments and drugs through NIH funding.

On March 8, 2017, House Speaker Paul Ryan announced the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Republican replacement plan for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The AHCA is becoming known to many on Capitol Hill as Trumpcare, and it’s already facing stiff opposition from Democrats and Republicans alike. Many conservative Republicans are calling it Obamacare 2.0 and expected a full repeal of the ACA. Moderate Republicans are unlikely to support the bill, because it could potentially strand millions without insurance coverage provided by the ACA.

In a series of articles published by the Washington Post, patients living with cancer are speaking out against the potential harm that could impact cancer care with repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Told through each patient’s own experience with the ACA, the stories paint a vivid picture for lawmakers on Capitol Hill. By putting a face to those affected by repealing the ACA, this series may give representatives pause before they consider getting rid of the healthcare bill.

The outcome of the 2016 presidential election will usher in a number of changes, as a new administration enters the White House for the first time in eight years. A large focus for both Republicans and Democrats will be on the healthcare industry and its accompanying details.

In July, in an overwhelming bipartisan vote, the U.S .Congress passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), sending the bill to the president’s desk to be signed into law. With grant programs and community support initiatives, the bill will provide local authorities with resources to combat the opioid abuse epidemic. More than that though, the law is intended to change the way drug abuse is perceived.

I was honored and thrilled to represent the Oncology Nursing Society at this year’s One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC) lobby day during National Nurses Week on May 10th 2016. For those unfamiliar with OVAC, it “is a collaboration of national non-profit organizations representing millions of Americans, delivering a unified message to Congress and the White House on the need for increased cancer-related appropriations.”

On May 2, 2016, the HHS announced the appointment of Andrew Bindman, MD, as the new director of AHRQ.

NIH Director Francis Collins, M.D., Ph.D., announced the appointment of a new NLM head, Patricia Flatley Brennan, RN, PhD.

ONS works to advocate for oncology nurses every day. Find out more about what's happening on Capitol Hill and around the country in ONS's Capitol Roundup.

From March 6—8, 2016, I had the amazing opportunity to take part in the Nurses in Washington Internship (NIWI). NIWI is a program in which nurses from different disciplines come together from all over the country to discuss and receive healthcare policy and advocacy training.

Discover all the happenings on Capitol Hill and how ONS continues to advocate for oncology nurses in the national healthcare arena.

Last month it was my pleasure, as an ONS Capitol Gang member and an active member of the National Capitol Chapter, to represent oncology nurses at the annual Once Voice Against Cancer (OVAC) Hill Day. It was an incredible adventure. The first day was filled with training and networking with other cancer advocates. We then marched up to Capitol Hill to meet with our U.S. senators and representatives.

Reforming health care toward a system that is equitable and sustainable is a priority in national policy. Legislators on Capitol Hill determine healthcare funding priorities, which are key to reform. Nurses need to be part of the conversation for positive change and innovation.

Late last year, I had the honor to represent ONS and meet with Maryland State Senator Bryan Simonaire (R-MD) to discuss his bill that seeks to provider greater access to experimental treatments for patients, particularly those with cancer, who otherwise might not have such options. It was an advocacy experience that, regardless of the bill’s passage, reminded me of how important it is for oncology nurses to do what we do best: educate others on planned treatments and symptom management.

Advances in technology are changing the world, and nowhere is that more impactful than the provision of health care. Nurses are on the forefront of patient care and understand the multitude of components involved in treating people and educating on symptom management.