Governmental Affairs
CBSPAN Report 7/26/08
Most of the activity in Congress dealt with funding the war
in
110 Congress
ANA met with members of Congress on June
24, 2008 in
Safe Staffing Act was reintroduced in November 2007.
This bill would mandate staffing levels consistent with acuity and staff mix. It would also require public reporting of staffing and provide whistle blower protection for nurses who report concerns.
SCHIP(state children health insurance program) has been extended until March 2009.
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program has been extended until 2012.
Stem Cell Research Bill – Vetoed by President Bush.
Kid Safe Chemical Act – Introduced in May and would force manufacturers to demonstrate safety and expand the public’s right to know.
Establishment of the Office of the National Nurse – Would be within the Dept. of Health and Human Services. This office would provide public education about nursing as a profession and encourage nurses to become faculty. This office would be the spokesperson for Nursing. No action on this proposal as of yet.
On April 15, 2008 a letter, signed by many professional nursing organizations, was sent to the Sec.of Health and Human Services. This letter urged the Secretary to elevate the CNO of the PHS to a 2 star ranking rather than create a new office. The CNO of the PHS would become the voice of nursing.
CMS proposes to add 9 new hospital acquired conditions and 43 new hospital quality reporting measures. This will have a significant impact on nursing both on prevention of conditions and reporting data to ensure proper reimbursement. Final decision is due by August 2008.
Initiatives of Interest
Immigration and Nursing Workforce.
Nursing Workforce Development Program
Acute Care Staffing
Mandatory Overtime
Nurse Staffing Reporting
Health Care Worker Safety.
Safe Patient Handling and Movement.
Health Care Quality measures and information.
Of Interest at the State Level
Bill has been introduced in both states.
14 states have restrictions on the use of mandatory overtime, 11 states have enacted legislation.
Eight states have enacted safe patient handling legislation. In 2008 10 states introduced legislation seeking to restrict or eliminate manual lifting.
Twenty-two states have proposed legislation to amend the Nurse Practice Act to protect the use of the word “nurse” by unlicensed personnel.
Submitted by,
Alida M. McDonald, RN, CAPA