LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
The Mental Health bill which would allow Mental Health NPs to be able to admit (voluntary or involuntary) patients to inpatients psychiatric units has passed the Senate as of 4/25/12 and is now in the Assembly. Our lobbyists are working their contacts in the Assembly to help shepherd the bill through. Last year, this bill was also passed by the Senate but failed to pass on the Assembly (the bills did not match). This year the bills match.
The NP Modernization Act is currently being discussed. The Nurse Practitioner Association of New York State lobbyists are meeting with key staff personnel in Senator LaValle and Senator Young’s offices and also with Assemblywoman Glick’s office. As the removal of Mandatory Collaboration was a recommendation that came out of the MRT (Medicaid Redesign Team) workgroup process, the hope was that this would be part of the Governor’s budget process. However, the final MRT report had not been issued as of the budget deadline of 4/1/12.
There has been a lot of grassroots groundswell around the issue of removal of mandatory collaboration for NPs. The Regional Catholic Conference in Rochester came out in support of The NPA and removing practice barriers of NPs to increase access to care. Other Catholic Conferences throughout NYS have been contacted to help lend their support behind this issue. If you are active in a Catholic parish or know a priest who would be willing to write a support letter please contact Joy Ellwell DNP ANP FAANP at joy.elwell@gmail.org for information on what needs to be contained in the letter.
On the National front, legislation is being pursued to remove the barrier that currently exists for NPs to order home health care services. The bill is seeking more sponsors. If you have not already done so, please contact your congress person and ask them to support this bill. This bill affects us all! I know how it delays care for the children I care for when I have to find a doc to cosign my orders for home care. Please contact your national representatives and tell them just how this restrictive legislation affects you and your practice. Visit the AANP website for the link: www.aanp.org
And this is the perfect time to remind you that if you are not already a member of The Nurse Practitioner Association of New York it is time to join: www.thenpa.org It takes time and money to get these bills passed and there are numerous benefits to belonging to the umbrella group for NPs in New York State. While you are at it consider joining the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners too www.aanp.org We need the representation on the national level to ensure that we are able to practice to the fullest extent of our education.
Due to family commitments Nicole Holuba LaMarca has resigned as Legislative Issues Chair. We want to thank Nicole for all of her hard work on the Executive Board and look forward to working with her in the future.
"We must create public opinion which must drive the government instead of the government having to drive us -- an enlightened public opinion, wise in principles, wise in details." -- Florence Nightingale
Important for All PNP's:
If you haven't already - Please register to vote! Remember you are the voice of pediatric nurse practitioners!
Read more about the NAPNAP Research Agenda: http://www.napnap.org/index.cfm?page=13&sec=599
To read about Nurse Practioner legislation in New York State: http://www.thenpa.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=5
MEDICAID BLOCK GRANT OR FUNDING CAPS WOULD SHIFT COSTS TO STATES, BENEFICIARIES, AND PROVIDERS: Would Also Unravel Health Reform Law
YOU CAN GET INVOLVED!
Nurse Practitioners are always advocates - here are some things you can do to increase visibility:
- Make sure you always have business cards available - write the greaternynapnap.org website address on the back!
- Write a letter to your elected official - NAPNAP sends out legislative alerts when action is needed - it's easy to email your official & they CARE what you have to say
- Attend local patient support/advocacy group meetings - Let their leaders know you're available to speak out, join their experts board, etc.
- VOTE VOTE VOTE!!! Endorse candidates whose messages mean something - send a check to support candidacy & sign the check with your title
- Volunteer to speak at parenting classes, school programs, civic programs.
- Volunteer at the local office of an elected official - let them know you're available to consult on medical issues
- Be a preceptor for nurse practitioner students
- Keep up on practice issues & be prepared to speak out when an issue is unfair
- Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, or journal, or magazine - regarding articles about nurse practitioners
- If you're REALLY ambitious - run for office: local, state, national - check out the nursing caucus of the United State Senate headed by Representative Lois Capps RN (D-CA)
NURSING ADVOCACY GROUP
The Center for Nursing Advocacy (www.nursingadvocacy.org) is a media watchdog. Their mission is to alert health care professionals about representation of nursing worldwide in the public media.