Capitol Update, brought to you by the American Nurses Association
Capitol Update, a legislative newsletter for nurses
Volume 5/Issue 3 April 2, 2007
Article Photo ANA President Rebecca M. Patton Testifies Before House Appropriations Subcommittee

ANA President, Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR provided public witness testimony before the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee on March 29. Patton used this opportunity to express strong support for a $50 million increase in funding for the Title VIII nursing workforce development programs. Patton pointed out that the growing nursing shortage is costing lives and harming national security efforts. She stated that "Our country expects more from us in addressing this growing crisis."
Legislation Introduced to Protect Nurses From KY River Ruling

On March 22, members of the U.S. House and Senate introduced legislation to protect nurses and other workers impacted by the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) decisions last fall in cases collectively known as Kentucky River. The Re-Empowerment of Skilled and Professional Employees and Construction Tradeworkers (RESPECT) Act (H.R. 1644/S. 969), would ensure that skilled and experienced workers in a wide range of industries who sometimes instruct co-workers do not lose their collective bargaining rights.
96 Representatives Support Nurse Appropriations, Senate is Still Counting

In early March, Reps. Lois Capps, RN (D-CA) and Steven LaTourette (R-OH), the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, circulated a letter in the U.S. House of Representatives supporting $200 million in FY 2008 appropriations for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development programs. The final letter, which was delivered to the House Appropriations Committee on March 20, was signed by a bipartisan group of 96 Members of the House of Representatives. Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Susan Collins (R-ME) then circulated a similar letter in the U.S. Senate. This letter is open for Senators to sign through April 3. ANA needs your help! Contact your Senators today to urge them to sign the Mikulski/Collins letter.


Preparing for the Next Disaster

Many qualified nurses, physicians and other healthcare professionals faced confusing administrative hurdles in obtaining permission to practice in the Gulf Coast areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This situation ultimately delayed and impeded the timely delivery of essential health care services. To reduce the likelihood of a repeat of this travesty, the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) convened meetings to craft what has since become known as the Uniform Emergency Volunteer Healthcare Practitioners Act (UEVHPA). ANA was among the stakeholders to participate in the creation of this Act and remains at the table for the development of its final provisions, which address legal liability and workers compensation protection.
copyright 2007, American Nurses Association
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Ready...Set...Go! My Representatives Are Back Home...What Can I Do?

Even though the 2008 elections may seem far away, members of Congress are anxious to meet with YOU when they are slated to be back in the district over the next two weeks. Meeting with your elected officials either at a town hall meeting, or setting up a meeting with them in their district office is a great way for ANA's message to be heard.

On the Road: Connecting with Members

ANA State Government Affairs Associate Director Janet Haebler, RN and Senior Political Action Specialist Carlos Jackson, recently traveled to Camp Hill, Pennsylvania to participate in a Pennsylvania State Nurses Association's (PSNA) Government Relations Committee meeting.
ANA requests inclusion of RN on Walter Reed Commission

On March 6th, President Bush announced the creation of a presidential commission to investigate treatment of veterans. Because nurses are the primary providers of the day-to-day care for patients at Walter Reed and in hospitals across the country, ANA believes strongly that the Commission would benefit from the experience and perspective that an RN would bring, and has requested that an RN be appointed to the group.
CMS Modifies Policy on Infant Medicaid Eligibility

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has announced that it will modify its policy related to access to Medicaid for infants born in the United States to undocumented immigrants. Under the modified rule, any newborn, whose mother files an application and is determined eligible for emergency Medicaid for the delivery, will automatically be eligible for Medicaid for the first year of their life if certain conditions are met. This policy change is in response to criticisms from lawmakers, state governors, consumer and patient advocates who said that the CMS existing rule went too far when it implemented Medicaid eligibility documentation requirements as required by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.