American Nurses Association: Capitol Update Archives

Volume 7/ Issue No. 4

July 2009

Healthcare Debate Heats Up; ANA Testifies on Capitol Hill in Favor of Public Plan

As the temperature rises in Washington, DC, the healthcare debate on Capitol Hill is also intensifying! Three pieces of healthcare reform legislation—two from the Senate and one from the House were released in June AND ANA testified twice on Capitol Hill to make sure the voices of nurses were heard loud and clear!
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Donna Policastro, RNP, Executive Director of the Rhode Island State Nurses Association, testifying before the House Ways & Means Commitee on Capitol Hill.

ANA Supports Safe Patient Handling Measures in Congress to Improve Safety of Nurses and Patients

As a longtime advocate for safe patient handling and movement programs, the American Nurses Association (ANA) has come out in strong support of “The Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act of 2009” (H.R. 2381), sponsored by Rep. John Conyers, (D-MI) and House Resolution 510, introduced by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY). These two pieces of legislation would help improve patient safety and protect registered nurses and other healthcare workers from debilitating injuries that could force them from their professions.
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ANA Supports Reintroduction of Independence at Home Act

The American Nurses Association (ANA) applauds the efforts of lawmakers to bring primary care services offered through registered nurses to Medicare beneficiaries in their homes by reintroducing the "Independence at Home Act of 2009 (H.R. 2560/S. 1131)." This legislation would provide patients with care options that offer both independence and quality of life. Moreover, it recognizes the integral role nurses and nurse practitioners play in the delivery of primary care and helps bring the focus of our health care system back where it belongs - on the patient and the community.
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President Obama Signs Historic Tobacco Legislation into Law

President Barack Obama signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act into law on June 22, 2009. The American Nurses Association (ANA) applauds both President Obama and Congress for enacting legislation that would allow the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate cigarettes and other tobacco products.
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ANA Applauds Introduction of The Ban Poisonous Additives Act of 2009 (S. 593 and H.R. 1523)

The Ban Poisonous Additives Act of 2009 (S. 593 and H.R. 1523) would ban the toxic chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) from food and beverage containers. Most Americans are exposed to BPA, a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastic, on a daily basis.
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HHS Rescinds Harmful Medicaid Rules

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently announced the decision to rescind or delay four controversial Medicaid regulations implemented by the Bush Administration, which would have restricted important services for Medicaid beneficiaries including case management, school-based, and outpatient and clinic services. Congress issued a moratorium on the rules, which expired July 1, 2009.
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ANA Official Observer at AMA Annual Meeting; AMA Policies Could Affect Nursing Practice

ANA GOVA staff attended the American Medical Association's (AMA) annual House of Delegates (HOD) meeting on June 13-17, 2009. ANA is an official observer to the AMA HOD, as are the AORN (Association of periOperative Registered Nurses), NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing) and CGFNS (Council of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools).
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Safe Nurse Staffing Continues...

Safe nurse staffing continues to be a priority issue for nurses and legislators. In the first half of 2009, two additional states passed safe staffing laws: Nevada and Texas. Enactment in Nevada required the legislature override the Governor’s veto. This brings the total number of states with staffing laws to eleven. Maine and the District of Columbia also passed staffing legislation in 2004, but are not reflected in the eleven states since each was changed and not implemented as originally intended.
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ANA Particpates in Healthcare Reform Rally

As part of the Health Care for America NOW (HCAN) coalition, ANA took part in a healthcare rally on June 25th, armed with ANA signs and wearing ANA buttons, to call on Congress to pass healthcare reform this year.
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HCAN Rally Through a Member's Eyes

We chose to particpate in the Healthcare for America Now (HCAN) rally to ensure that nurses' voices are heard as healthcare reform legislation is being drafted by Congress. As frontline providers, nurses should be at the forefront stating what is needed to be able to deliver safe, quality care to our patients.
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Six Weeks at ANA: Intern Daniel Muzic

Hello, my name is Daniel Muzic. I am from Lexington, KY and am currently attending Bluegrass Community & Technical College; majoring in nursing. This summer I have had the great privilege of interning for six weeks in the American Nurses Association (ANA) Government Affairs Office.
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ANA-PAC Online House of Delegates Fundraiser a Success

Since the ANA House of Delegates will not convene in person until June 2010, ANA-PAC hosted a first ever, virtual online fundraising event.
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ANA-PAC Trustees Bid a Fond Farewell to ANA-PAC Chair Sara Jarrett, RN, MS, MA, EdD

The ANA-PAC Trustees bid a fond farewell to ANA-PAC Chair Sara Jarrett, RN, MS, MA, EdD. Sara will continue her involvement in ANA-PAC through a newly created program called the ANA-PAC Leadership Society.
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ANA-PAC Board Welcomes New Trustees

The ANA-PAC elects two new PAC Trustees—Linda Easterly and Marion Poirier— both bringing many years of fundraising knowledge and expertise to their positions.
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Illinois Awaits Lifting Protections

Safe patient handling and movement legislation in Illinois passed and is awaiting the Governor's signature.
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President Obama Addresses AMA on Healthcare Reform

On June 15, President Obama addressed the American Medical Association (AMA), at their 2009 Annual House of Delegates meeting in Chicago. President Obama was there to elicit support for his healthcare reform proposal - particularly the public option.
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Update on Comparative Effectiveness Research

While Congress continues to debate the details of a health reform plan, one aspect of reform is moving forward quickly: comparative effectiveness research (CER).
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