Recently, consumers have become increasingly aware of the potential risks posed by some of the chemicals in the products we use every day, and a few chemicals in particular have gotten a lot of attention. Consumers may be choosing baby bottles made with without bisphenol a (BPA), or perhaps looking for cosmetics that are paraben-free, but these are just the chemicals we know about– the ones that are in the news. What about all the others that haven’t made the headlines?

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The Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act (H.R. 4993) was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on April 13 by Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D-PA). The Home Health Planning and Improvement Act would allow physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and certified nurse midwives to order home health services under Medicare in accordance with state law.

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On June 16th, nurses from across the country will come to DC to ensure that the voices of nurses are heard on Capitol Hill!

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It’s only just begun…..Although the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was signed into law on March 23, 2010 by President Barack Obama, the debate over health care reform measures is just getting fired up, especially within the states.

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Dr. Donald Berwick, a leading figure in healthcare quality research and improvement, has been nominated to lead CMS. Marilyn Tavenner, an RN, has been named principal deputy administrator, and is now acting administrator until Dr. Berwick’s confirmation by the Senate. CMS has also undergone a restructuring designed to better administer the complex new healthcare reform policies under the PPACA.

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On April 15, 2010, President Obama signed legislation temporarily stalling the scheduled 21.3 percent cut in Medicare reimbursement rates under Part B, for advanced practice registered nurses, physicians, and other Medicare providers. The “Continuing Extension Act of 2010” extends 2009 payment rates through the end of May 2010, under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, and also applies retroactively to April 1.

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