We focus our efforts on legislative advocacy, working at the local, state, and federal levels with legislators and other stakeholders to improve health care access and outcomes for our patients, and to assure the continuation of independent and progressive practice regulations for APRNs in Alaska. The APRN Alliance was established in Anchorage, Alaska on November 3, 2012.
Advocacy Visits
​It is important to share our perspectives with those creating laws to further their understanding of the reality faced by our patients and all Alaskan APRNs.
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If you plan on participating in an Advocacy Visit, please reach out to us to help maximize your visit. If going to Juneau, you may find the virtual tour of the Alaska State Capital Building useful.
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There is power in collective representation and we greatly appreciate those that make these visits on behalf of our organization.
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Over the past several years, all advocacy visits have been funded by the person attending (not the APRN Alliance) to minimize the cost to our members. However, this leads to inequitable representation by those that have the time and funds to attend. We hope in the future to have the funds to sponsor visits to Juneau and Washington D.C. to promote an equitable representation.
Take a virtual tour of the Alaska State Capitol Building in Juneau:
http://akleg.gov/capitoltour/
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Members of the AK APRN Alliance have traveled to Juneau and Washington D.C. to visit legislators and stakeholders to encourage APRN advocacy for our patients and profession.
30 Legislative Visits in 8 Hours!
2025 APRN Representation by Hope Meyn, Tara Bonardi, Stephanie Wrightsman-Birch, Allie Moe, Nan Magrath, and Teresa Lyons.
Thank you all for using your time & finances to support all APRNs!
Lobbyist Ben Mohr, thank you for organizing this!
As a fellow APRN, thank you Senator Giessel for all that you do!
Alaska CRNAs Tara Bonardi & Whitney Willcut Attended AANA Mid-year in Washington
Aides from Senators Murkowski and Sullivan’s offices, as well as Congressman Begich’s, discussed legislative priorities with them, including​
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• iCAN Act
• Title VIII Nursing Workforce Funding
• HB 2234 – VA Care Modernization
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Each office expressed interest in improving access to care in Alaska. Congressman Begich’s aide was especially engaged, recognizing CRNAs' critical role and expressing interest in establishing a CRNA program in Alaska.
Whitney spoke about the essential role CRNAs and APRNs play in delivering high-quality care throughout Alaska
Tara emphasized the need for equitable funding for nursing education
Policy Priorities
Senate Bill 121 sets rules for how health insurers calculate payments to healthcare providers when there is no contract in place. The bill requires insurers to use a consistent method based on up-to-date data on what providers charge across Alaska. Payments must be at least at the 75th percentile of provider charges, with higher rates for primary care services. The bill also calls for regular audits and updates to these rates, ensuring fairness and transparency in how insurers reimburse healthcare providers. It takes effect January 1, 2026.
To learn more about current bills, check out:
Achievements
Our first order of business was working to implement the Consensus Model here in Alaska, which resulted in the passage of SB 53. The Consensus Model is a nationwide effort to create uniformity and consistency for APRN licensure, which will allow us to work to the full extent of our respective scopes of practice, as well as ease employment transitions across state lines.
2024
SB 53, “An Act relating to advanced practice registered nursing…” was signed into law by Governor Bill Walker on July 6, 2016. It changed the titles “Advanced Nurse Practitioner” and “Nurse Anesthetist” to “Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.” The Alaska Board of Nursing has passed regulations to implement this statutory change, and these have been signed by the Lt. Governor.
2023
H.B. 149 & S.B 130 Nurse Licensure Compact
H.B. 59 & S.B. 58 Medicaid postpartum extension for new mothers
H.B. 17 & S.B. 27 12-Month Birth Control Legislation​
2022
HB 392, The APRN Alliance worked to increase access to care for Alaskans living with serious illness by supporting the passage of HB 392. HB 392 enables signature authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and Physician Assistants to sign death certificates, do not resuscitate orders, and life sustaining treatment. This bill, sponsored by Representative Snyder and championed by Marianne Johnstone-Petty, DNP, APRN, was passed on March 29, 2022.
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HB 265, The APRN Alliance supported the passage of HB 265, An Act Relating to Telehealth. This bill enables health care providers licensed in Alaska the option to deliver care via telehealth without an in-person visit when appropriate. The law also requires parity for Medicaid reimbursement rates of all services delivered via telehealth, supporting innovation in the health care sector and ensuring that all Alaskans have access to care. This bill was sponsored by Representative Spohnholz and passed on July 12, 2022.
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Recent Awards
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Chris Logan, CRNA: 2024 Providence Nurse of the Year Honoree
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Andrea Lewis, CNP: 2024 Providence Nurse of the Year Honoree
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Bernadette Clark, CNP: 2024 Providence Nurse of the Year Honoree
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Bethany Berry, CNM: 2024 Providence Nurse of the Year Honoree
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Ellen Reeder, CNP: 2024 Providence Nurse of the Year Honoree
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Theodore Walker, CNS: 2024 Providence Nurse of the Year Honoree
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Anjali Madeira, CNM: Received a pilot grant to examine outpatient cervical ripening for labor induction ending July 2025. Anjali & colleagues applied for funding for maternal transport study, and a large study on intrahepatic cholestasis in pregnancy. Both through the NIH.
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Dr. Rose Timmerman: 2024 CNS Fellow of the National Association for Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS).
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Dr. Morgan Brissette: National Leader and Committee Member of the National Advisory Council on Nursing Education & Practice. Personal Invite for a Nationwide NP Group Meeting.
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Dr. Lisa Jackson, CNP: Alaska Representative for the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), starting in 2023.
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Dr. Kathryn Ault, CNP, DNP: Director of Midwifery at South Peninsula Hospital.
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Carrie Peluso, CNP: Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of PAMC and newly appointed inaugural Alaska Representative for the Northwest Organization of Nurse Leaders (NWONL). She also serves as a Board Member for the All Alaska Pediatric Partnership (A2P2).
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Dr. Marianne Johnstone-Petty, CNP, DNP: Named Alaska Nurse Practitioner of the Year by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She also co-authored “Recommendations for Specialty Palliative APRN Graduate Education” with other national APRNs.
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Dr. Jennifer Lent, CRNA, DNP: Chief of Anesthesia Services and OR Medical Director at the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Center in Bethel. Co-authored 2 published articles this past year.
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April Erickson, CRNA: Medical Director of the Anesthesiology Department at Kodiak Hospital, APRN Representative for the Alaska Board of Nursing, and leader of an Evidence-Based Pre-Anesthesia Testing Clinic to streamline the patient experience.
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Senator Cathy Giessel, CNP: Senate Majority Leader of the Alaska Senate, representing Anchorage District E.
DID WE MISS WHAT YOU DID?
Email us with your accomplishments throughout the year.
We want to celebrate with you & for you!
