Urotrauma - The Success of an AUA Legislative Initiative: A Legislative Primer

Urogenital injury has been increasing among American soldiers engaged in foreign operations because of improvised explosive devices. The American Urological Association led a legislative coalition that in 2013 was successful in having Congress enact law improving the care of soldiers who have suffered urotrauma. Reviewing the legislative effort from the beginning to the present provides many valuable insights into the components of federal legislative success that can be applied to future efforts.

Since 2008 the American Urological Association has advocated for the passage of federal legislation promoting care for U.S. military veterans with urotraumatic injuries. Direct observations of the stakeholders in the development and passage of legislation are used to describe the interaction of policy and politics in the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act in 2013.

The passage of the National Defense Authorization Act in 2013 included a provision that promoted care for U.S. military veterans with urotraumatic injuries.

Key components for the passage of legislation include 1) identification of a clear urological patient care policy need, 2) engaging a coalition of stakeholders, 3) an organizational posture of persistence and adaptability, and 4) the fostering of new and existing Congressional relationships among urologist advocates and organized urology's advocacy partners.