In anticipation of early action on health system reform, ANA initiated its first official outreach to the incoming Administration. The letter outlines, to President-elect Trump’s transition team, ANA’s principals for any undertaking that would seek to transform our current health system
Highlights from the Letter:
For decades, the American Nurses Association (ANA) has advocated for health care system reforms that would guarantee access to high-quality, affordable health care for all. ANA is calling on you and your administration to prioritize the health of the nation, which is foundational to progress and economic growth. We are pleased to share our principles for health system transformation.
ANA’s Principles for Health System Transformation
- Ensure universal access to a standard package of essential health care services for all citizens and residents.
- Optimize primary, community-based and preventive services while supporting the cost-effective use of innovative, technology-driven, acute, hospital-based services.
- Encourage mechanisms to stimulate economical use of health care services while supporting those who do not have the means to share in costs.
- Ensure a sufficient supply of a skilled workforce dedicated to providing high quality health care services.
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Can I share the full letter with Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray from WA state?
Well done to say the least. Has anyone from Trump’s team reach out?
The incoming administration absolutely petrifies me in terms of what they know about nursing, patient care, and health care in general. As we are seeing, they are not choosing anyone with any experience in the department they are being asked to be in charge of and lead. In some cases, they are choosing diametrically opposed candidates with the idea of possibly dismantling, or at least crippling, that same agency.
The next 4 years have me profoundly scared. In fact, after these 4 years are over, there will be major
damage to undo.
God help us.
I really don’t know where you are getting your info from. For the majority of us ACA is ridiculous and not affordable.
Here Here!!
I agree, our healthcare system is in worse shape than ever. A drastic change is needed – NOW!
Be aware that Hilary stated health care was so expensive because nurses were overpaid. Considering what they got paid for a speech and what they took off the Haiti fund I think they were overpaid. We know it is not all about money but it sure helps to pay the bills. Dianne McGuire Rn MSN CEN.
Diane,
A fact check does not support that Clinton made this disparaging remark about nursing.
I’ve been involved in the political process since 1971 and this last presidential election had a lot of
unsubstantiated comments out in the social media.
We all need to move ahead to work on health and illness care for all citizens.
Hi I ‘am a RN and have worked as a nurse for 50+ years for 2 years I worked without health coverage when I need care I had to rely on the grace of God and the kindness of my doctor who treated me free and gave me samples of needed meds for free until I was eligible for Medicare. I too understand the need for affordable health care. I love nursing but as far as us making too much money. I can’t afford to retire at 70 lol good thing I love my work.
Amen to that I had good coverage until ACA. Now I cannot afford insurance and I am only 60. Something is so wrong when you can’t afford care and you’ve worked since you were 14 years old. Mostly in nursing/ healthcare I’m sick of this
God bless you and thank you for your work. I have just retired after 30 years in nursing and I have to say you deserve healthcare more than anyone. As for getting over paid as a nurse, you know as well as I that will never happen. Thank you for your service.
Andrew
I am hopeful that the Trump administration will be successful in revising our Health Care system. I have been experiencing our current system as corrupt. It is careless with health, safety and wellfare of patients, it treats nurses similar to the philosophy of Nazi prison camps – starve and work them to death, i.e.; grueling 12 hour shifts with 30 minute breaks, if lucky, mandatory overtime, extending shifts up to 16 hours; no holidays offered because “nurses don’t need them since they work 12-hour shifts, being on call with no on-call pay, administration micromanaging every slight infraction, then abandoning their team during emergent and busy times. Encouraging nurses to work while sick, because of the popularity of staffing to the minimal RATIO.
I had a patient yesterday who told me he would like to get off of Methadone, but the clinic treats it like a fast-food drive though. They ask him how much he needs, he drinks it and DRIVES off to keep the line moving. Isn’t this DUI? This patient stated the program helps promote his habit, encourages him to drive under the influence, and the tax payer pays for this INTERVENTION. Patients with free health care view the hospital as a “Disney World” experience because they are taught it should be. They WALK into the ER with chest pain, phone in one hand, large drink in other, advertising friends to join experience. Friends come, help themselves to TV, graham crackers, ginger ale, prop their feet up and let their children run around. Friends and family then order and badger nurses for warm blankets, ice for drinks, Tylenol for headaches, and lip balm for dry lips. They insist on reviewing the menu to help order 2 meals for their loved one so they can have a bite to eat also.
All this MORAL VANITY causes costs to increase, resulting in cut wages, and for nurses to WORK HARDER AND SMARTER”. I have witnessed that many nurses have left the health care system or are actively looking for other alternatives. I will not sign an ANA outreach petition unless it actively addresses these well-documented issues haunting nurses and patients, today, and avoids the GROUP THINK mentality.
Well said. I think we have to address how our clients think about us and how we serve them. We need to be able to afford this care but we also need to address how some have taken their care to a whole new level. We have a lot of abuse coming through our ED’s and clinic…
I couldn’t agree more. It is all about patient satisfaction. Every time I go into work
I feel like I’m walking on egg shells. You have to be so careful when talking with patients because many times they misinterrpret what you say, perhaps they get offended and the next thing is you are being reported to the supervisor. In the facility where I work the patient is always right. It doesn’t matter if the nurses get verbally abused as long as the patients are happy!! Not only are nurses enduring physical demands but mental as well.
Taking the moral high ground and treating addiction as a moral failing? Addiction is a disease and people who suffer need healthcare. At least 20 million more Americans are benefiting from the Affordable Care Act as they now have insurance. I have worked 30 years in a State not for profit hospital. I have seen people who I suspect may be taking advantage of the system. But I have also seen the folks who are choosing between buying food for their children or buying their medications, splitting their medication in half or taking them every other day because “they last longer.” We all want the same things, a safe home, a good job and food for our children.
Show me what you would replace The Affordable Care Act with that would be better.
It is a frustrating business. We need to work together to provide for all and to preserve our democracy.
Yes, nurses are some of the caring and hardest working individuals I know. I worked bedside for 8 years and now care for patients as an ARNP in a primary care clinic. I agree that working conditions, pay, and tuition reimbursement/ forgiveness must improve. You mentioned you would, “not sign an ANA outreach petition” and that is your prerogative, however, ACTION like meeting with state and local representatives is what will bring about change. If you’re not taking action (which perhaps you are already) there is no room for complaining.
Are you kidding and the last 8 years were heavenly wake up girl your safer now than you were before
Since the advent of the ACA my health insurance has increased by over 200%. How am I supposed to maintain this? Next year my health insurance will be almost $30,000 for my family. That does not include deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance. That is just the premium for me and my family. I hate the ACA!!!
This is logical and solid approach to moving forward with care as we transition away from ACA as it currently exists
Dear President Trump,
Nurses want the same health care coverage for Americans, that Our Congress, Our Judiciaries and Our Executive Branch have, including the ability to chose Health Insurance nationally; not restricted to State Providers. Competitive Market prices and excellent evidence-based outcomes.
Happy Holidays,
Kelley Beglin RN (1982) CCRN (1986) BSN (1990)
Alumni California State University, Bakersfield
Dear President Trump,
Nurses want the same health care coverage for Americans, that Our Congress, Our Judiciaries and Our Executive Branch have, including the ability to chose Health Insurance nationally; not restricted to Sate Providers. Competitive market prices and excellent evidence-based outcomes.
Happy Holidays,
Kelley Beglin RN (1982) CCRN (1986) BSN (1990)
Alumni California State University, Bakersfield
Agreed
It is important that we be proactive about affordable health care for all so I applaud your efforts. Please call on me if I can be of help. Ruby Martinez RxN, CNS, PhD
I believe that the AHCA was a flawed program that there was already a law in place we gave no enforcement to implement (much like the FDA when first designed without teeth for enforcement). I lost my doctors in regular family and specialty care with the “Obama Care” so……my insurance never changed just the fact I had to drive 79 miles to see a doctor out of town instead of in town. I do feel we need studies on early mental health intervention not a study on gun violence as this is feudal…guns are not living objects therefor they do not exhibit violence…
Most of all I think the nation needs to focus on contributing to better clinics and hospitals throughout our nation to improve preventative health measures and education.
All humans regardless of race, culture, religion or immigration status or for that matter economic status, deserve the best care possible in the eyes of humanity!
Ok Sharon we will send you their bills
Please address the issue of quality education for all children. This is a public health issue and should be supported by ANA. The nominee for Secretary of Education is an advocate for child labor.
The ACA in its current state is not the answer and has in fact harmed a number of Americans — especially many in the middle class. I agree with Trump that we should keep certain provisions (i.e. no penalties for pre-existing conditions and children can remain on their parent’s insurance through age 26) and then we need to fully re-evaluate the ACA taking into consideration ALL Americans.
Since the ACA, insurance carriers have jacked up premiums and high deductibles are becoming the norm. Pharmaceutical players have been buying up each other and pushing out generic drugs which are often of inferior quality (check the fillers too) yet grossly inflating the costs passed on to consumers. A number of Americans, who are subsidizing others’ health care costs, cannot no longer afford care for themselves &/or their family members.
Big Pharma and the larger insurance carriers (who helped craft the ACA behind closed doors) need to be reigned in. For example, one of my daughters suffers from severe tonic-clonic seizures which Lamictal XR used to prevent. On my high deductible plan (my company changed to it after the ACA was enacted), our monthly out-of-pocket costs for her medication went from $50.00 to over $2400.00 (the plan has a $12,500.00 in-network deductible and $25,000.00 out of network deductible). The insurance carrier is also refusing to cover brand name drugs and will not disclose what type of physician (if any) makes their medical decisions when a consumer or PCP files an appeal.
This is outrageous
Dear President Trump,
Nurses want the same health care coverage for Americans, that Our Congress, Our Judiciaries and Our Executive Branch have, including the ability to chose Health Insurance nationally; not restricted to Sate Providers. Competitive market prices and excellent evidence-based outcomes.
Appreciated all comments; ANA thoughtfully & masterfully composed letter to incoming Congress & unqualified president. My thoughts: 1)will president-to-be & staff [most of whom also unqualified for respective positions] accurately interpret ANA communication? Suggest ANA representation to present content & interpret to ‘audience’ who’ll be involved in decisions re: healthcare for Nation. 2) to those whose health premiums skyrocketted: remember, it is the INSURANCE COMPANIES managing your policy who restrict care providers, services, etc. That is the group to which a challenge must be made. If insurance companies were not the ‘middle man’ in healthcare delivery consuming the individual’s dollar & Medicare dollars, these monies would be available for/to the patient. Voila! National Insurance. Hospitals and other healthcare entities, pharmaceutical companies, etc. are demonstrating profits never before witnessed. Where is the wisdom when healthcare dollars are devoted to proslitizing these entities and denying quality patient care. We, the patient consumer, can, with unity, such as through ANA, decry profit making at the cost of humanity : healthcare, education, air/water quality, etc. Humanity and Wall Street are incompatible when such extremes are tolerated between Havenots & Haves. Let 2017 be our, ANA’s, most visible year ever to the entire NATION.
With bated breath, I wait to see what things are coming. D. T. continues to be more disappointing than imaginable. This is a person very out of touch with the general population. God help us.
Hang in their Paula he might continue to surprise you just think of the alternative
Please…please…please
Listen to the front line nurses who are at the bedside..
when someone becomes sick and / and or helpless, the nurse cares for that person …they are the guardian, the teacher, the comforter, the advocate, the friend. Our mercy, intelligence, diligence, and compassion are fundamental and necessary for those facing health deficits. Please don’t let other nations feel sorry for us because Americans, especially the elderly, have the worry of financial burden on top of being sick. Health care should never be a business model with a profit margin. This hurts people. No one wants to become ill or old and helpless…but this is the human condition. Therefore, health care is a right to all humans and access should be for all. The hospital and nursing home industry need reconstruction so clinicians can focus on care and not getting someone out of the hospital for financial restraints. If we can send billions of dollars to Iran, we should be spending here to make America healthy again.
Cheryl Provos, RN
Well stated, Cheryl!
I agree Cheryl the front line nurses never get the credit they deserve my 2 daughters are those nurses
The ACA affects millions of Americans across the United States and in our rural state of Idaho. Because nurses have always championed disease prevention and health promotion as well as ensuring we care for the under-served and under-privileged populations, we are concerned about changes to the ACA. Under the ACA, those with insurance receive free preventative health care services, which are cornerstones to ensuring good health rather than disease for all populations.
Under the ACA, Idaho residents without health insurance dropped 38 percent from 2010 to 2015. We continue to work on Medicaid expansion for the 59,000 low-income adults in our state. Our rural population needs access to health services and health insurance. Note that premiums for all insurance plans have risen, not just those sold in the ACA insurance exchanges. Under the ACA’s plan for tax credits, a large majority in our state under the ACA do not pay full premiums. Many friends in Idaho have also said how much they value and save costs by having their children stay on their health plans until age 26.
The ACA provision that prevents those with pre-existing conditions to be denied insurance should be kept in place. By removing the ACA’s ban on lifetime limits or maximum caps on healthcare benefits, we, as a nation, are abandoning those with catastrophic health care conditions such as those families facing extensive cancer treatments, chronic kidney disease, AIDS, and other health conditions where the costs of pharmaceuticals and treatments are devastating. If the ACA is changed, these individuals and families face a choice between health and bankruptcy. In Idaho, there will be 566,000 residents affected by changing this ACA provision and re-instituting healthcare benefit caps.
I am all in for positive changes in health care that will be effective to care outcome and the providers well-being.
NPs should be considered as primary care providers- providing zero cost zero risk to patients-working at the top off their licensure. We need to remove legislative barriers to providing patient centered care that is cost-effective and accessible for all Americans with health policy reducing health disparities.
Absolutely Jackie
I’m afraid for our patients now and all future patients. If Paul Ryan has his way and creates a voucher system for Medicare it will create extreme disparities for our patients. Medicare needs to come off the Republican barging table.
God Bless America ! Also the new Presidency & all those who work with them , Senate & Congress included. We need to work together to move forward with our healthcare system , to observe for areas to improve upon , & to stay abreast of all issues at hand in regards to Nursing who have a great voice & input in all areas for all those who receive healthcare from whatever source they have at hand . Nurses also need healthcare for themselves! , they may have a voice for themselves in this area that will speak for others as well . We need to continue to work as a team to provide optimal healthcare to all in our reach . To teach & direct along the way .
Although the ANA sent a well written letter it will be up to us as individuals to actively follow the debate on reforming our health care system. And I agree with many of you who feel that the ACA is flawed. However, this act allowed for implementing the EMR, which although readily available most hospitals did not purchase until the ACA provided for financial incentives. I worry that the better parts such as the establishment of the Accountable Care Organizations may be dismantled which would be a tragedy for our patients. Right now CMS ensures Core Measures are met before allowing reimbursement to hospitals, this has benefitted our patients in many ways, to dismantle these measures would be foolish. As for the nurses that are commenting about patient care ratios, they are not a part of the ACA, they are instituted through legislation in each state, and many states has not accomplished this yet. I hope that the writers who have taken the time to respond in such thoughtful ways will remain active and involves with their Congressional representatives so the voices of nurses can be heard, hers to a productive 2017.
Although the ANA sent a well written letter it will be up to us as individuals to actively follow the debate on reforming our health care system. And I agree with many of you who feel that the ACA is flawed. However, this act allowed for implementing the EMR, which although readily available most hospitals did not purchase until the ACA provided for financial incentives. I worry that the better parts such as the establishment of the Accountable Care Organizations may be dismantled which would be a tragedy for our patients. Right now CMS ensures Core Measures are met before allowing reimbursement to hospitals, this has benefitted our patients in many ways, to dismantle these measures would be foolish. As for the nurses that are commenting about patient care ratios, they are not a part of the ACA, they are instituted through legislation in each state, and many states have not accomplished this yet. I hope that the writers who have taken the time to respond in such thoughtful ways will remain active and involved with their Congressional representatives so the voices of nurses can be heard, hers to a productive 2017.
As long as RN’s can be retaliated against for speaking up – including being reported to State Board of Nursing without due process we run the risk of being powerless. The risks include words with no power behind them. If we cannot ensure the welfare of our nurses how can we ensure the welfare of our patients. Research has shown bullying, retaliation has a direct affect on patient outcomes and yet this problem thrives within our industry. We need reform within the nursing profession in order to reform healthcare.