Capitol Update, brought to you by the American Nurses Association
Capitol Update, a legislative newsletter for nurses
Volume 5/Issue 1 January 25, 2007
Article Photo ANA President Patton Attends Capitol Hill Ceremonies Celebrating the Start of the 110th Congress

Earlier this month, the 110th Session of the U.S. Congress convened amid the pomp and circumstance of a historic first in American government as Democrats elected Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) as the first woman Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Photo: Rep. Lois Capps, RN (D-CA) and ANA Pres. Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR.
ANA Supports Medicare Prescription Drug Pricing Authority

On January 8, 2007 ANA sent a letter to House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) supporting the Medicare Prescription Drug Pricing Negotiation Act of 2007 (H.R. 4). This bill would grant Medicare the authority to directly negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for lower prescription drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries.
House passes ANA-supported Stem Cell Research Bill

On January 11, the House passed the ANA-supported Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (H.R. 3) by a vote of 253-174. H.R. 3 would expand federal embryonic stem cell policy by allowing federal funding for research on additional stem cell lines, providing that this research is in keeping with specified ethical requirements. Currently, federal funding for embryonic stem cell research is allowed only for research using embryonic stem cell lines created on or before August 9, 2001, under a policy announced by President Bush on that date.
ANA-Supported Staffing Legislation Introduced in the Senate

On January 4, 2007, Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI) reintroduced the Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2007 (S. 73). The introduction of a companion bill in the House is expected soon.
APRN Medicaid bill Introduced in Senate

On January 4, 2007, Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI), re-introduced the Medicaid Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants Access Act of 2007 (S. 59). This ANA-endorsed legislation would remove barriers that keep advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) from participating fully in state Medicaid Programs. A House companion bill is expected soon.
Wicker Rider Remains as the Continuing Resolution Inches Forward

The House and Senate Appropriations Committees are continuing work on a resolution to fund the Federal government through 2007. Unfortunately, the Wicker rider that weakens safety standards designed to protect nurses from airborne biohazards currently remains in effect in this resolution. We need your help! Contact your Congressional delegation and urge them to protect nurses from infectious diseases.


States Make Incremental Progress in 2006 on Nursing Issues

Congratulations to all who experienced legislative wins for nursing in your state for 2006. ANA continues to monitor and report on legislative trends and activities within nine categories included in ANA's Nationwide State Legislative Agenda: A summary of 2006 legislation introduced and enacted is now available. Highlights of 2006 and insight into 2007 follow.
copyright 2007, American Nurses Association
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ANA Wants YOU! Apply to N-PAL Today!

The American Nurses Association is looking for a few good nurses to represent ANA and the nursing community on Capitol Hill. The early days of the first session of the 110th Congress is the perfect time to get involved in ANA's Nurse Political Action Leaders (NPAL) program. It's an easy way to reach out to your own elected officials on issues of concern to you and your patients. The great aspect of this program you can have your voice heard in Washington without coming to Washington!

Call for the Release of the Nurses and Physician Sentenced to Death in Libya!

ANA continues to be extremely concerned about the five Bulgarian nurses and Palestinian physician sentenced to death in Libya. ANA has urged the United States government to continue to intervene on behalf of the health professionals and to consider sanctions against the Libyan government that would be appropriate given the untenable circumstances. Now ANA needs your help! Contact your members of Congress TODAY and urge them to pressure the Libyan government to rescind the death sentences of five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor in Libya.
Proof of Citizenship Requirement Threatens Access for Children

A new federal law requiring proof of citizenship and identity for beneficiaries is threatening state efforts to provide health coverage for uninsured low-income children and their parents through Medicaid and the State Children Health Insurance Program, according to a Kaiser Foundation Survey.
National Provider Identifier (NPI) Deadline Approaching

If you are a health care provider who bills for services, you probably need a National Provider Identifier (NPI). If you bill Medicare for services, you definitely need an NPI! Getting an NPI is easy. Getting an NPI is free. The first step is to get your NPI. Once you obtain your NPI, it is estimated that it will take 120 days to do the remaining work to use it. This includes working on your internal billing systems, coordinating with billing services, vendors, and clearinghouses and testing with payers. If you delay applying for your NPI, you risk your cash flow and that of your health care partners as well.
New Project Addresses the Influence of Drug Companies on Provider Prescribing Practices

PharmedOut is an independent publicly funded project to empower prescribing providers to identify and counter inappropriate pharmaceutical promotion practices. The goal of the web based project is to disseminate information about how pharmaceutical companies influence prescribing practices, to increase access to unbiased information about drugs, and to encourage providers to choose continuing education not funded by pharmaceutical companies.