Legislative Update

Another Successful VANA Legislative Breakfast!

In honor of National CRNA Week 2007, VANA held our annual legislative day at the Vermont State House in Montpelier on Tuesday, January 23rd.

Representatives Keenan of St. Albans City, Acinapura of Brandon, Bostic of St. Johnsbury, Heath of Westford, Hunt of Essex, Hutchinson of Randolph, Johnson of South Hero, Larson of Burlington, Milkey of Brattleboro, Miller of Shaftsbury and Morley of Barton introduced a resolution on the floor of the House honoring the contributions of Vermont’s CRNAs (click here to view the resolution or click here to download a pdf version).

This year we reserved the Card Room on the 2nd floor of the State House for much improved visibility even without the lure of coffee and pastries and met with more than two dozen legislators from around the state, many of whom were unaware of the continuing importance of CRNA’s in delivering high quality affordable health care to Vermonters – at least, until we got our hands on them.

Although its early, mark your calendars now for 2008’s Nurse Anesthesia week because we’d love to have more members stop by for meetings with their specific Senators or Representatives – even a short amount of face time goes a long way towards building relationships.

For more information, contact VANA President Michael Wooten (802-885-3954), Government Relations Chair Nancy Deptulski (802-244-5689) or our lobbyist, Virginia Renfrew (802-223-5968 or renfrew@sover.net)

Sign up for E-alerts!

Please consider signing up for our new VANA e-alert list to help us disseminate timely information. We pledge to protect your privacy by not sharing your email with any outside organization besides Zatz and Renfrew and will keep the e-alerts to a minimum necessary for building our grassroots power and presence. Our goal is to use that potential to build the power and recognition of CRNAs across Vermont.

To be included on the e-alert list, please send an email including your name, email address, and the town you live in to renfrew@sover.net. The subject should read, "VT-ANA e-alert list sign-up".

Meet the VANA crack lobbying team!

In 1997, Gail Zatz and Virginia Renfrew began working with local and national organizations, government agencies, and businesses to create and implement projects and educational programs and to develop grassroots networks for effective advocacy and public policy. Prior to the formation of Zatz & Renfrew Consulting, Gail Zatz, an attorney in California, advocated on behalf of children and families and Virginia Renfrew, a paralegal in Vermont, advocated for civil rights.