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APRN Co-hosts Briefings on Advanced Practice Nursing
As part of an effort to educate Congressional staff about Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, ANA is co-hosting a series of briefings on Capitol Hill with APRN organizations. The briefings focus on the integral role Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) play in our healthcare system, and the fundamental importance of including APRN practice appropriately in healthcare reform.
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ANA Kicks Off National Nurse Week With Congressional Briefing
In conjunction with the Congressional Nursing Caucus, the American Nurses Association (ANA) sponsored a luncheon briefing on Tuesday, May the entitled Nursing Primer: The Registered Nurses' Role in Health Care Reform to kick off National Nurses Week. Congressional health staff learned about the critical role that registered nurses (RNs) play as patient advocates, caregivers and pivotal contributors to the delivery of quality health care.
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ANA and National Nurses Week Recognized on Capitol Hill
In honor of National Nurses Week, the U.S. Congress recognized the significant contributions of nurses to the health care system. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) brought House Resolution 192 to the floor, while Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) spoke in the Senate about National Nurses Week.
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House and Senate Vote to Adopt FY 2010 Budget
On April 29, 2009, both the House and Senate voted to adopt the $3.56 trillion fiscal year (FY) 2010 budget resolution. The resolution included $263 million for nursing workforce development programs and also reconciliation instructions which would allow Congress to move health care reform without encountering a potential Senate filibuster.
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Obama Administration Federal Agency Update
President Obama has wasted no time in putting his stamp on health care policy within federal agencies. Despite a lack of new leadership at HHS and CMS, the administration has selected many new leaders, created a new White House Office of Health Reform, and started to reverse some of the Bush Administration’s controversial actions.
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2008 AHRQ Quality & Disparities Reports Lead HHS to Provide $50 Million to Improve Patient Care, Prevent HAIs
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has issued the 2008 National Healthcare Quality Report (NHQR) and the 2008 National Healthcare Disparities Report (NHDR). The reports measure trends in effectiveness, timeliness, and efficiency of care; patient safety; and patient centerdness, and present the latest available findings on health care quality and access.
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Bisphenol A Bans (BPA) Across the Nation Pave Way for Chemicals Policy Reform
The U.S. chemical regulatory system has failed to protect humans and the environment. Growing scientific evidence indicates that some chemicals used in everyday consumer products such as toys, cosmetics, computers and furniture are likely contributing to an epidemic of chronic diseases and disorders (e.g. cancers, learning and developmental disabilities, and infertility).
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Council of State Government Spring Meeting
ANA was represented at the annual spring meeting of the Council of State Governments (CSG) in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho May 16th - 18th by Janet Haebler, Associate Director, State Government Affairs. Janet was reappointed to the CSG Health Policy Task Force, charged with reviewing suggested state legislation to serve as models for other states. The task force provides recommendations to elected officials that make the ultimate determination as to what is published as suggested state legislation.
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Senate Races Heating Up Across the Country
While President Obama and the newest members of Congress were sworn in five short months ago, it's never too early for candidates and campaigns to focus on the key races for Governor, Senate and Congressional seats. A few Senate seats have already garnered national attention.
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NY Times Online Publishes Letter to Editor on APRNs/Physician Shortage
A letter-to-the-editor headlined, "The Road of Primary-Care Nurses," from the American Nurses Association was published in the online version of the New York Times' Opinion section on May 10, 2009.
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ANA Nominates RN to Preventive Services Task Force
The ANA recently nominated Debbie Hobbins, MSN, APRN, NP, DNP candidate to serve on the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
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HRSA Announces 2009 Faculty Loan Repayment Program
The Health Resources & Services Administration, Bureau of Clinician Recruitment is seeking applicants for the 2009 Faculty Repayment Program.
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ANA Submits Comments to Senate Finance Committee
ANA submitted comments on the recently released Senate Finance Committee’s “Expanding Health Care Coverage: Proposal to Provide Affordable Coverage to All Americans,” consistent with ANA’s commitment to the principle that health care is a human right and that all persons are entitled to ready access to affordable, high-quality service. The extensive document provides recommendations in several areas: Individual Market Reforms, Making Coverage Affordable, Public Health Insurance Option, Role of Public Programs, Prevention and Wellness, Long-Term Care Services and Supports and Options to Address Health Disparities.
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More Bush Medicaid Rules Rescinded, Delayed
On May 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rescinding three of the Bush administration's controversial Medicaid rules, and delaying enforcement of a fourth.
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ANA Supports Patient Access to Genetic Test
On May 15, the ANA provided formal comments regarding the draft report entitled "Gene Patents and Licensing Practices and Their Impact on Patient Access to Genetic Tests," issued by the Department of Health & Human Services Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health and Society (SACGHS).
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Health Officials Appointed by the Obama Administration
Several leaders of federal health agencies have been recently appointed or confirmed.
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States to Receive $75 Million to Help Uninsured
Department of Health and Human Services recently announced $75 million in grants to help states expand health insurance access to the uninsured. “With these funds, states can look at the most effective ways to provide affordable health insurance to their uninsured residents,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
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