The Senate passed its healthcare bill, H.R. 3590, the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” on Christmas Eve by a vote of 60-39! ANA wants to make sure you have the latest information on what is happening in Washington, DC! Where is the health care reform debate going? What has happened since the Senate voted on Christmas Eve? All of your questions concerning health care reform are answered here!
In the midst of trying to pass historic healthcare reform legislation, both the House and Senate took time to vote on an omnibus package which would assure funding for government agencies to run the remainder of fiscal year 2010 (FY2010). On December 16, President Barack Obama signed the $447 billion omnibus package into law, which included nearly $500 million in funding for Title VII and Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development programs. This is more than 26% above the funding level in 2009. The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs received $244 million, a 42% increase ($73 million) over 2009 funding levels ($171 million).
When I graduated nursing school in 2005, my fellow graduates and I took a pledge to care for the ill, “sparing no effort to conserve life, to alleviate suffering, and to promote health.” I believe that supporting policies that help to improve the lives of patients and the conditions in which we care for them is very much in line with the objectives of our nursing oaths. For the past two years, I have been working with Pennsylvania State Nurses Association and most recently the American Nurses Association to fight for issues that affect my patients. Most recently, I have gotten involved with the fight for affordable, high-quality health care for all Americans.
Prior to the January 19th special Senate election in Massachusetts and resultant tip of power in Congress, this column was to have been devoted to a discussion of the potential impact of federal health care reform on states and ultimately nursing’s agenda. It now seems the outcome of reform is even more elusive. But there are some assumptions that can be made with regard to state legislation during the 2010 sessions based upon state budget deficits.
At the January 14-15, 2010 meeting of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, commonly known as MedPAC, commissioners supported a greater focus on non-physician Medicare providers, and recognized the important role of Nurse Practitioners in primary care and home health care.
In the wake of the devastation in Haiti, the American Nurses Association (ANA) would like to convey our deepest sympathies to those who have suffered incalculable losses. For nurses who have expressed an interest helping with the relief and recovery efforts, ANA encourages anyone interested in becoming a first responder to pre-register with one of the many disaster registries and response organizations that already exist. These groups ensure that volunteers will have access to training and will be utilized according to the appropriate response plans. For nurses who are unable to give of their time but wish to offer financial assistance, ANA is encouraging members and concerned health professionals to donate through the American Nurses Foundation (ANF).
