Independence at Home Amendment Adopted in Health Care Reform Legislation

On July 30, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved, by voice vote, the inclusion of an amendment to H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act, which aims to create a pilot program to provide patients with care options that offer both independence and quality of life.
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Status of Title VIII Nursing Workforce Funding; House and Senate Differ

Before Congress broke for the August recess, both the House and Senate were working on their respective FY 2010 appropriations for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development programs.
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ANA Continues to Advocate on Capitol Hill for Health Care Reform

On Tuesday, July 21, nurses from the American Nurses Association joined with the House Democratic Caucus to describe personal stories of a broken system in which health care is too often denied or delayed and also to show their support for H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.
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ANA Advocates for Nurses at HRSA & AHRQ

Federal agencies are responsible for creating and carrying out many of our national health care policies and programs.  Yet they often fail to recognize the pivotal role of nurses in patient care and our health care system.  ANA is always on the lookout for opportunities to advocate for greater recognition of the contributions of nurses and the need to consult and include nurses in policy decisions and programs. 
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Safe Chemicals, Healthy Families Coalition Meets with EPA Administrators

The ANA recently represented the role of nurses as workplace and health advocates at a special Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition (SCHF) meeting with US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson.
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ANA Connecting with State Legislators

Summer in Philadelphia and ANA was there...at the annual legislative summit for the National Conference of State Legislators.  Not surprisingly, debate over approaches to health care reform was at the forefront. 
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State Actions Shed Light on Need for Federal Chemicals Policy Reform

There is an urgent need for U.S. chemicals policy reform.  Widespread exposure to toxic substances is a result of an ineffective federal statute, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), that allows for minimal, if any, safety testing before chemicals enter or remain on the market.
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ANA Co-Hosts Call for Health Care Providers with Howard Dean

On Wednesday, July 22nd over 900 ANA nurses registered to take part in a conference call with Dr. Howard Dean to discuss elements of the House and Senate health care reform bills, and how they will impact health care professionals.
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ANA Launches Health Care Reform Website

As one of the most vital issues facing America today, ANA believes health care reform is something in which all individuals, particularly nurses, should be involved.
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White House Senior Officials Hold Call for ANA Members

On Friday, August 19th, White House senior staff held a conference call exclusively for ANA members and organizational affilliates to discuss health care reform strategies.
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Health Centers Get $25.7 Million to Expand Patient Services

On August 23, 2009 Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced $25.7 million in federal grants to expand patient services at community health centers. 
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Administration Announces Availability of Stimulus Health Care Workforce Funds

On Tuesday, July 28, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius announced the availability of $200 million in health professions funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the stimulus package signed into law by the president on February 18.  The ANA fought to secure this funding as part of $500 million allotted overall in ARRA to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to address health professions workforce shortages.
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ANA Medicare Comments Counter Physician Supervision

ANA submitted formal written comments on August 30-31, 2009 to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on proposed annual rules for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System (OPPS/ASC).  These set reimbursement rates for 2010 and include new policy changes.
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