Federal Issues
Nurse Staffing
ANA supports H.R. 4138 and S. 73, the Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act, which would hold hospitals accountable for the development of valid, reliable unit-by-unit nurse staffing plans. These plans would be developed in coordination with direct care registered nurses (RNs) and based on each unit’s unique characteristics and needs. The bill also provides for public reporting of staffing information, and includes whistle-blower protections for RNs and others who may file a complaint regarding staffing.
Safe Patient Handling and Movement
ANA support actions and policies that result in the elimination of manual patient handling. Patient handling, such as lifting, repositioning and transferring has conventionally been performed by nurses. A Safe Patient Handling and Movement (SPHM) program decreases injuries to nurses, other health care workers and patients, while reducing work-related health care costs and improving the safety of patient care delivery.
Funding for Workforce Development
ANA is working to convince Congress to significantly increase funding for the Nursing Workforce Development programs administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) under Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act. We are asking for $200 million in fiscal year (FY) 2009, which would be an increase of $50 million over the FY 2008 funding level.
House Nursing Caucus
Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA) and Congressman Steve LaTourette (R-OH) have come together to form a Nurse Caucus in the House. This Caucus will provide an excellent, non-partisan forum for the discussion of issues that impact the nursing profession, and will help members of Congress who care these issues come together to address them in the 110th Congress.
Mandatory Overtime
Nurses across the nation are reporting a dramatic increase in the use of mandatory overtime as a staffing tool. This dangerous staffing practice is having a negative impact on patient care, fostering medical errors, and driving nurses away from the bedside.
Healthcare Truth and Transparency Act
Educate your Representative about the problems associated with the Healthcare Truth and Transparency Act. Urge them to withhold their support and co-sponsorship!
APRNs and FECA
Contact your Congressional delegation and tell them to recognize all Advanced Practice RNs as providers under the Federal Employee Compensation Program (FECA).
Medicaid Cuts
ANA supports a Medicaid Program that provides coverage based on federal standards that ensures access for poor and special needs populations. ANA maintains that any savings realized from the restructuring of Medicaid must be reinvested in the expansion of coverage and benefits.
Advanced Practice Medicaid Reimbursement
Urge your Members of Congress to expand Medicaid coverage of services provided by advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Ask them to cosponsor the Medicaid Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants Access Act (H.R. 2006/ S. 59).
Association Health Plans
ANA opposes association health plans (AHPs), which will remove guarantees of access to APRNs and will harm consumers.
Overtime Pay Regulations
On August 23, 2004 a new Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) rule that threatens the rights of Registered Nurses to receive overtime compensation went into effect. Learn more about the rule and it's potential impact on RNs.
Immigration and the Nurse Workforce
ANA opposes the Rural and Urban Health Care Act of 2005 (H.R. 248) which would weaken current certification requirements for nurses educated in foreign schools of nursing. Congress should focus on programs that recruit and retain American nurses in patient care, instead of looking overseas for a risky quick-fix to the nursing shortage.
Nurse Reinvestment Act Background
On August 1, 2002 President George W. Bush signed the Nurse Reinvestment Act into law. The American Nurses Association (ANA) fought for passage of the act, which addresses the nursing shortage by authorizing important recruitment and retention initiatives.