Capitol Update, brought to you by the American Nurses Association
Capitol Update, a legislative newsletter for nurses
Volume 5/Issue 9 October 31, 2007
Article Photo ANA Joins House Leaders to Support S-CHIP; Reauthorization Remains in Question

ANA PAC Board Treasurer Mary Behrens, RN, MSN, FNP-C joined House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC), House Democratic Caucus Chair Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) and others in a press conference on October 2. The press conference was held in the U.S. Capitol to call upon President Bush to support legislation reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP). Unfortunately, the President vetoed S-CHIP legislation the very next day. ANA continues to work with Congress to pass a bill that can be enacted into law this year.
Senate Passes Health Funding Bill Containing ANA-Supported Immigration Provision: Nurses Defeat Hostile Amendment

After a week of heated debate, the Senate passed key legislation funding domestic health programs on October 23, 2007. The fiscal year (FY) 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Act (H.R. 3043) passed by a vote of 75-19. The bill contains a $20 million increase in funding for the Title VIII nursing workforce development programs which would bring FY 2008 funding to $170 million. Nurses across the nation mobilized at the last moment to defeat a hostile amendment that would have reduced funding for the Title VIII Programs by $13.4 million. The Senate-passed bill also contains an ANA-brokered compromise on nurse immigration that would help raise tens of millions of dollars for U.S. schools of nursing.
ANA Signs Letter of Concern on Proposal to Create Office of the National Nurse

In early October, ANA joined public health and nursing organizations in signing a letter of concern regarding the proposed creation of an Office of the National Nurse (ONN). The signers hope this letter, which articulates our shared concerns about the proposal and reflects our strong desire to address the very real issues facing nursing and public health, will provide added perspective on the issue for individuals and organizations considering the merits (of the National Nurse proposal).


We're Not There Yet: Legislating Readiness

Nurses recognize the importance of developing a mechanism to increase surge capacity of health care professionals in times of disaster. The Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act (UEVHPA), promulgated by the Uniform Law Commission (ULC) in 2006 responds to the lack of uniformity in state laws.
copyright 2007, American Nurses Association
For more information contact:
gova@ana.org
Tell a Friend about Capitol Update
manage newsletter subscription
visit archives
Where Can You Cast Your Vote For Your Preferred Presidential Candidate, Or Learn About the Electoral College? ANA's Election 2008 Action Center!

Officially, the first votes of the 2008 presidential campaign season will be cast in about two months, during the Iowa Caucus elections on January 3, 2008. With state primary and caucus elections right around the corner, the ANA continues to move forward with its presidential endorsement process. We have engaged with the presidential campaigns and are in the midst of learning the candidates' positions on ANA's core legislative policy priorities. Where can you find John Edwards' responses to ANA's presidential candidate questionnaire? ANA's Election 2008 Action Center webpages!

Rachel Conant Returns to ANA!

ANA Senior Political Action Specialist Rachel Conant recently returned to "active duty" nearly four months after giving birth to a beautiful baby girl, Emily Marie Conant. Rachel and her husband George welcomed little Emily to the world on June 27, 2007. Even though Rachel misses Emily dearly during her work day, she has settled nicely back into her role helping nurses build political bridges with the elected officials in Washington, DC. Please join us in congratulating Rachel on Emily's birth and welcoming back a valued member of the ANA team.
Eileen Carlson Joins the ANA Government Affairs Team

Hello, my name is Eileen Carlson, JD, RN, and I am the newest Associate Director in the ANA Government Affairs department. I cover federal regulatory affairs watching what's going on in federal agencies here in Washington. I will also be representing the ANA in the AMA House of Delegates and other AMA committees. I look forward to meeting & working with you! Please feel free to contact me at Eileen.carlson@ana.org.