Below is a summary of the Nursing Community Coalition’s (NCC) activity for the month of August.
Thank You Letter to Senator Merkley for Introducing Title VIII Funding Amendment
The Nursing Community Coalition thanked Senator Merkley for introducing an amendment to the Senate LHHS-ED Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2019 that would increase spending for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs. Senators Duckworth, Booker, Menendez, Kaine, and Van Hollen (who supported the amendment) were also thanked for their support and commitment to advancing nursing education and practice.
Senate Request Letter on Opioid Package
Forty-six organizations signed on to a letter urging for the inclusion of Section 3003, Allowing for More Flexibility with Respect to Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders, of the House-passed SUPPORT for Families and Communities Act (H.R. 6), in any final Senate opioid package. Section 3003 of H.R. 6 provides a permanent authorization for nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe Medication-Assisted Treatments (MATs) to those suffering from opioid addictions and creates a five-year authorization for the other three APRN groups (certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse-midwives, and clinical nurse specialists) to do the same.
Letter to HHS Secretary Azar
The Nursing Community Coalition sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar applauding his remarks on the need to examine scope of practice laws in order to evaluate state and local regulations that restrict APRN practice authority. The letter additionally requested a meeting with officials from HHS to discuss scope of practice issues further.
Letter to VA Secretary Wilkie
Forty-four organizations signed on to a letter welcoming Robert Wilkie as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The letter also includes language surrounding the coalition’s position on the recent VA rule which allows APRNs to practice to the full extent of their education and clinical training, which excluded certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). The coalition hopes to work with the VA to change this rule to give CRNAs parity with the other APRN groups and allow them to provide care within VA facilities to the full extent of their clinical training.
Meetings
The NCC held their monthly meeting on August 7, 2018 with 27 NCC organizations in attendance.
For more information on the Nursing Community please visit: www.thenursingcommunity.org
Majority of Americans Want Congress to Increase Medical Research Funding; Oppose President’s Proposed NIH Budget Cuts
Ninety Percent of Voters Say Funding Medical Research is “Very” or “Extremely” Important! DNA and our advocacy partners at OVAC (One Voice Against Cancer) agree! Continue funding for cancer research and cancer prevention.
Read more in this press release:
OVAC Poll Release 2017
Indiana and Maryland become first states to pass sunscreen law in 2018.
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association introduced model sunscreen legislation in 2016. The program and model bill are dubbed SUNucate and the purpose is to allow children to bring sunscreen to school without a doctor’s prescription or note. Because sunscreen is classified as an over-the-counter drug by the FDA, children in many school districts across the country are required to bring a prescription from a physician in order to possess or use sunscreen at their school or camp.
To date, nine states have been successful in getting their bills passed. Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Ohio, Utah, and Washington passed legislation in 2017. So far in 2018, Indiana and Maryland passed bills.
DNA members have been involved in advocating for this legislation. If your state has a bill in the pipeline we urge you to get involved. If your state is not among the active ones and you would like to learn how to go about getting a bill introduced, the Health Policy and Advocacy Committee can help guide you. Contact the Chair, Maura Flynn or any of the members via email at: dna@dnanurse.org
21st Century Cures Act
The Senate has passed the 21st Century Cures Act by a vote of 94-5! Of specific relevance to OVAC, the bill includes $4.8 billion in new funding for the National Institute of Health, including $1.8 billion for the National Cancer Moonshot Initiative.
It is also important to note that Congressional appropriators released a new Continuing Resolution (CR) last night which includes the $352 million in FY17 Cures funding for the NIH in the CR being voted on later this week. This will allow NIH and NCI to begin spending the Cures money immediately even while the agency budget remains otherwise flat-funded through at least the end of April as a result of the CR.
Thank you to everyone who has worked on this bill over the past two years and who has helped build support for it. It is important that OVAC members thank House and Senate Leadership as well as the bill’s sponsors for their work on the bill and appropriations chairs and ranking members for including Cures and moonshot funding in the CR.
21st Century Cures now goes to the president to be signed into law which he is expected to do quickly.
2018 Health Policy Conference
Be The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner® in Washington, D.C.!
Register Today!
February 4-6, 2018, Washington, D.C. Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
Why Choose the Health Policy Conference?
Whether you’re a seasoned NP advocate or a novice in the legislative area, this is a unique opportunity to:
Earn continuing education credits.
Learn from government and industry experts as they discuss the priorities of Congress and the Administration and their potential impact on NPs and patients.
Develop skills and insight necessary to advocate effectively at the federal level.
Meet with your elected officials and staff on Capitol Hill to promote patient health through the elimination of federal barriers to practice.
Network with NPs from your area who are interested in creating advocacy coalitions.
ITA Update: A Fond Farewell
In July, the Indoor Tanning Association Board of Directors voted to end operations and dissolve the corporation. Although it was a necessary decision, I’m reminded at this moment of all that was accomplished over these last 18 years since the ITA was founded, and the many successes and legislative victories that highlighted our journey together.
Commitment to America’s Health – A Consensus Statement from the Nursing Community
As the White House and Congress debate health care reform, the Nursing Community believes that thoughtful debate and due process are essential to addressing a policy of this magnitude.
Read the full article
Nursing Community Expresses Deep Concern Over President’s Budget Far-Reaching Cuts Proposed to Long -Standing, Effective Nursing Programs
As members of the Nursing Community, representing 63 national nursing organizations, the President’s Budget Proposal deeply concerns us with its far reaching cuts to long standing nursing programs that have proven their value over and over.
See the full statement here:
Nursing Community Expresses Deep Concern Over President’s Budget
There are too many zeros in this plan!!
Don’t Fry Day is coming soon!
Many acknowledge Memorial Day weekend as the beginning of the summer season. The National Council for Skin Cancer Prevention designates the Friday before Memorial Day as “Don’t Fry Day”, a nationwide campaign to promote sun protection awareness and education. Skin cancer prevention advocates share the sun protection message through social media, local media and in communities and schools. DNA encourages members to participate in this campaign in any way you can.
Download the full PDF Article here
DNA is pleased to stand with our colleagues at OVAC
Some of these budgets cuts need a second look; “As members of One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC), a coalition of public interest groups representing millions of cancer researchers, patients, survivors and their families, we are writing to you in response to the release of President Trump’s FY18 Budget Proposal specifically regarding the proposed cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and ultimately the National Cancer Institute (NCI) which would be a devastating blow to the cancer research community, doctors, nurses, patients and their families.” Download the full article here
21st Century Cures Act Passes
The Senate has passed the 21st Century Cures Act by a vote of 94-5! Of specific relevance to OVAC, the bill includes $4.8 billion in new funding for the National Institute of Health, including $1.8 billion for the National Cancer Moonshot Initiative.It is also important to note that Congressional appropriators released a new Continuing Resolution (CR) last night which includes the $352 million in FY17 Cures funding for the NIH in the CR being voted on later this week. This will allow NIH and NCI to begin spending the Cures money immediately even while the agency budget remains otherwise flat-funded through at least the end of April as a result of the CR. Thank you to everyone who has worked on this bill over the past two years and who has helped build support for it.It is important that OVAC members thank House and Senate Leadership as well as the bill’s sponsors for their work on the bill and appropriations chairs and ranking members for including Cures and moonshot funding in the CR. 21st Century Cures now goes to the president to be signed into law which he is expected to do quickly.
