In this episode of WOCTalk, Kate Lawrence, WOCN® Public Policy Coordinator, and Chris Rorick, WOCN Director of Government Relations, break down the top legislative and regulatory issues impacting the WOC nursing specialty today. From coverage reform and supply access to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and collaborating with advocacy groups, this episode is a must-listen to stay ahead of the issues shaping your work and your patients’ care.
Episode Resources:
View the WOCN Society’s public policy information.
View the WOCN Society’s members-only online Public Policy Community to engage in communications about legislation, regulation or policy development, access to supplies or services for patients, or quality concerns.
If you have questions for Kate or Chris, please email info@wocn.org.
Visit the American Nurses Association Public Policy and Advocacy site for additional information and resources.
Visit the Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders site for additional information and resources.
About the Speakers:
Kate Lawrence, MSN, RN, CWOCN, WOCNF, has had a wonderful career path in nursing. Her journey has included acute care, medical surgical nursing, home care, hospice and over 30 years as a wound ostomy and continence nurse practicing the full WOC scope of practice.
Her work in WOC nursing has included acute care in-patient, and the development of a comprehensive wound ostomy and continence service for inpatient, outpatient, and contract entities in a rural Vermont setting. Contracts included subacute care, long-term care, pediatric clinics for special needs, home care and hospice. Currently Kate is the Program Director of wound, ostomy and continence services at the VNA and Hospice of the Southwest Region in Vermont. Her role includes delivery of education, clinical care and consultation in home care, hospice, outpatient, long term care and community care facilities. Kate also serves as the Public Policy Coordinator for the WOCN Society.
Chris Rorick, MPH, serves as a Senior Policy Advisor at Polsinelli, and the Director of Government Relations with the WOCN Society. Chris brings 25 years of experience in both state and federal government service and government relations. His focus is on health care and health science policy representing numerous physicians, nursing, and medical research associations. Prior to joining Polsinelli, Chris served in both the state district office and Washington, D.C. office of a U.S. Congressman from Colorado as well a staff member for several Representatives of the Colorado State Legislature.
Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.