Capitol Update, brought to you by the American Nurses Association
Capitol Update, a legislative newsletter for nurses
Volume 5/Issue 7 July 31, 2007
Article Photo House Passes Health Appropriations; Wicker Rebuffed

The House of Representatives passed their version of the fiscal year (FY) 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations on July 19, 2007. The bill contains a $16 million increase in funding for Nursing Workforce Development Programs championed by ANA. Rep. Roger Wicker (R-MS) once again attempted to attach his respirator fit-testing amendment to the bill, but was rebuffed in Committee. Thanks to quick action from nurses across the nation, Rep. Wicker was convinced not to offer this amendment on the House floor.
Mandatory Overtime Legislation Re-Introduced in the Senate

On July 20, Sens. Kennedy (D-MA) and Kerry (D-MA), along with 14 additional co-sponsors, re-introduced The Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act, legislation to prohibit the use of mandatory overtime as a staffing tool. The House companion bill, H.R. 2122 was introduced by Reps. Pete Stark (D-CA) and Steven LaTourette (R-OH) on May 3.
House SCHIP Bill Contains Reimbursement Equity for Midwives

Both the House and Senate are involved in contentious negotiations over legislation reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which is scheduled to expire on September 30. The House Democratic version of the bill, the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act (CHAMP; H.R. 3162) contains an ANA-endorsed provision that would increase Medicare reimbursement for certified nurse midwives (CNMs).

CMS Issues the 2008 Medicare Reimbursement Rule for Part B Providers

On July 12, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule addressing revisions to payment policies for physicians and other health care professionals, including APRNs who are enrolled as Medicare providers. The proposed rule would reduce payments by 9.9 percent for services provided in calendar year 2008. Overall, the rule would provide $58.9 billion to physicians and other health care professionals for 2008 compared to $61.5 billion for 2007. The proposed rule will continue to implement annual reimbursement reductions based on the "sustainable growth rate" (SGR) formula. CMS is required by current Medicare law to use the SGR formula to determine the calendar year reimbursement rate.

Trends to Consider

A recent report issued by the Council of State Governments (CSG) focuses on ten trends that analysts, state policy experts, state government leaders and business professionals have identified as major forces of change. It is no surprise that health care expenditures and resulting outcomes are included. Although the trends may sound familiar, the contributing factors and regional variations in pace and impact may be of surprise. CSG notes that four themes cut across all the trends: an accelerating rate of change; increasing interconnectedness, characterized by economic, political and environmental interdependence; over-consumption; and opportunities for new partnerships.
copyright 2007, American Nurses Association
For more information contact:
gova@ana.org
Tell a Friend about Capitol Update
manage newsletter subscription
visit archives
What's the latest on the 2008 Presidential Race?

As summer inches closer to an end, most people are busy trying to fit-in last minute vacation plans and trips to the beach. But for those candidates running to become our nation's 44th President, the end of the summer brings them one step closer to the primary and caucus elections that are scheduled to begin in January of next year. It's time to get you the voter up to speed on the latest happenings on the campaign trail.
Upcoming August Candidate Debates and Forums

On July 23rd, Democratic candidates participated in a revolutionary debate forum sponsored by CNN and YouTube. This debate featured the candidates answering video-taped questions posed by selected members of the general public. While the pundits debate which candidate won or lost the debate, the true winner was the format. Will the following upcoming candidate debates and forums live up to the success of the CNN/YouTube debate?

New Report Examines Chemicals of Concern Found in Common Household Cleaners

Woman's Voices for the Earth, a national women's environmental health group, has released a report entitled "Household Hazards: Potential Hazards of Home Cleaning Products". The report reviews information from over 75 studies and reports on five types of chemicals commonly found in household cleaners. These chemicals are of particular concern to women and children as they have been linked to increases in either asthma or adverse reproductive effects.
Kudos to PSNA on the Enactment of APRN Legislation

On July 20, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell signed into law the first of a series of bills in his comprehensive plan to provide greater access to high quality care to all Pennsylvanians at affordable costs. A building block in his health reform plan is to fully utilize the current professional health care workforce in the state.
GAO Reports on the Impact of Medicaid Citizenship Documentation Requirement

One of the provisions of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 requires states to obtain documentary evidence of U.S. citizenship or nationality status when determining eligibility for Medicaid applicants and current beneficiaries. A recent report conducted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) examines the impact of this new citizenship and nationality documentation requirement on Medicaid applicants or current beneficiaries.