Legislative Corner Winter 08
Becky Colt-Ferguson RN,MS,NSCN
Interestingly fall is the time for preparing for winter months ahead and that is exactly what the Maryland Nurses Association legislative committee members have done since reconvening in September for our monthly legislative meetings. Nayna Philipsen, leg committee chair, has provided monthly agendas that include roundtable discussion of state health issues and guest speakers on a variety of health care topics of current interest. It is very helpful to have additional knowledge regarding the health care issues that require legislative initiatives from coalition leaders, legislators, and practitioners. Please note the following revised MNA platform:
2008 Legislative Platform
Maryland Nurses Association (MNA) supports an integrated legislative approach that focuses
on nurses, patients, and the healthcare system. MNA supports legislation that:
· Promotes effective nursing education, diversity, licensure, recruitment, and retention.
· Ensures and protects the rights of nurses to provide quality care within their full scope of nursing practice.
As I attend monthly meetings, I am forever mindful of our state’s school health issues, how they relate to National issues. I advocate for students and staff whenever possible. For example, based on a school nurse’s request for review, I have raised the question as to why the Janet Hoffman Loan Repayment Program excludes school nurses. Our MNA lobbyist will research this question for us. I am watchful for legislation affecting childhood nutrition. Oral health will command attention in Annapolis this year. I am concerned about nursing practice issues such as delegation of medication administration related to insulin and workforce shortage impacts: As school nurses retire, how will we replace them?
During the Maryland special legislative session, the General Assembly reached an agreement on a $1.3 billion package of revenue increases to close the state’s budget deficit. The State commitment to fund SCHIP( Medicare expansion) striving to capture more non- insured children and adults makes me feel better about paying a higher state tax this year! Instead of being one of the worst states, Maryland will skyrocket to one of the best states in the nation related to health care for all citizens. School nurses are in the perfect position to identify and refer families to their local health departments. Please endeavor in identifying families who have children that maybe eligible for the State Health Insurance Program.
Advocacy Opportunity:
There is a new coalition being formed in Maryland entitled: Safe and Healthy MD Coalition. The Maryland Public Interest Research Group and the University Of MD (EHEC) have a small bit of funding to begin organizing a coalition that will look at the use of Toxics in Maryland. We are looking to involve organizations and associations that are passionate about children’s health issues. The first order of business for the coalition will be to deal with toxic toys and baby bottles. I would love to have Maryland School Nurses involved with the coalition. All interested please have them respond to Brenda Afzal: afzal@son.umaryland.edu
From a national perspective, below is a portion of Janet Haebler’s (RN,MSN, Associate Director, State and Government Affairs, ANA) summation of the 110th Congress:
After months of negotiation, Congress passed legislation funding the federal government, averting Medicare cuts to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and extending the state children’s health insurance program (SCHIP).
The passage of the consolidated appropriations bill (H.R. 2764) funds the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2008. This includes $156.05 million for the Title VIII nursing workforce development programs, an increase of $6.4 million (4.3 percent) over last year’s funding levels.
Within Title VIII, the nursing workforce diversity programs, loan repayment and scholarship programs, geriatric education, and the nurse education, practice and retention programs, were all subject to a 1.7 percent across-the-board cut in funding. However, Democratic negotiators were able to secure a $4.8 million increase for advanced nursing education programs, and a $3.1 million increase for nursing faculty development. Explanations about these programs can be found at: http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAPoliticalPower/Federal/LEGIS/TitleVIII.aspx
Congress also sent to the President separate legislation (S. 2499) that would delay, for six months, a scheduled 10 percent cut in Medicare reimbursement for APRN and physician services. Instead, this cut will be replaced by a 0.5 percent increase. Congress will have to revisit this issue again before June 30, 2008, to keep these cuts from reappearing. This bill would also extend SCHIP funding through March 31, 2009, providing enough funds for states to continue to serve their current SCHIP enrollment of about 6 million people. However, the bill fails to eliminate the Administration’s controversial August 17th directive to state Medicaid directors (available at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/smdl/downloads/SHO081707.pdf) that makes it nearly impossible for SCHIP to cover children above 250 percent of the federal poverty level ($42,925 for a family of three in 2007). You can read more about this directive at: http://ccf.georgetown.edu/pdfs/movingbackward1212.pdf
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MASHN is an organizational affiliate of the Maryland Nurses Association (MNA), which allows us to be a member of their Legislative Committee. Meetings are held monthly from September thru December and bi-monthly during the General Assembly. You are welcome to attend these meetings and become involved.
To find out who is your Legislator click on: http://mdelect.net/
Senators: http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/senal.html
Delegates: http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/hseal.html
Contact Becky Colt-Ferguson, Legislative chair for more info: