Option 2
One nurse legislator who has made a significant impact in Congress is Lauren Underwood, a registered nurse representing Illinois’ 14th Congressional District. Underwood has a strong background in nursing and public health, holding a dual master’s degree in both fields. Her real-world experience working in the Department of Health and Human Services during the Obama administration gave her firsthand insight into health policy and crisis response, including involvement in the response to the Ebola outbreak and Flint, Michigan’s water crisis. These experiences have fueled her legislative priorities in Congress, especially around making healthcare more accessible and equitable for all communities.
Since taking office, Underwood has introduced and supported several healthcare policies, but one of her most notable contributions is the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, which she co-led. This legislation is a comprehensive package that includes multiple bills aimed at improving maternal health outcomes, especially for Black women, who face significantly higher maternal mortality rates in the U.S. The Act addresses gaps in maternal care by expanding access to mental health services, improving data collection, and supporting community-based organizations (Underwood et al., 2021). Through this effort, Underwood has not only highlighted a critical public health issue but has also shown how nurses in leadership roles can drive meaningful policy change that prioritizes patient safety and health equity (Stephens & Ledlow, 2020).
Having nurse leaders like Lauren Underwood in Congress brings a much-needed clinical and public health perspective to policymaking. Nurses understand what happens at the bedside and in communities, so they’re uniquely positioned to advocate for policies that actually reflect the needs of patients and healthcare professionals. Her work proves how nurses are more than caregivers—they’re change agents in shaping the future of healthcare.
References
Stephens, J., & Ledlow, G. R. (2020). Health care management: Strategy, structure, and process(3rd ed.). Springer Publishing Company.
Underwood, L., Adams, R., Kelly, R. L., Pressley, A., & Hayes, J. (2021). H.R.959 – Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021. Congress.gov.
