Month: December 2016

The 114th Congress by the Numbers

  

As this 114th Congress comes to an end, here’s an overview of the 114th republican led Congress by the numbers:

The House has been in session for just 217 days as of December 6, compared to 252 days in session at this same point during the Democratic-led 111th Congress.

There have been 75 closed rules so far this Congress – which limit debate, reduce transparency, and block Members from offering amendments on legislation.

21 major pieces of legislation have been signed into law. A total of 248 bills have been signed into law, compared to 290 bills signed into law. Republicans have voted 65 times total to repeal or replace the Affordable Care Act this Congress.

The 114th Congress was unable to pass a Budget or Complete the Appropriations Process.

As the 114th Congress comes to a close, the House left some important work on the table, such as:

  • Taking action to address gun violence in America;
  • Taking up legislation to raise the minimum wage, secure equal pay, or offer paid sick and family leave;
  • Addressing student debt;
  • Putting our nation on a fiscally sustainable path;
  • Fixing our broken immigration system; and
  • Protecting voting rights.

Looking towards the 115th Congress which will be led by Republicans as they take control of both Congress and the White House, it is the responsibility of their leaders to govern and address the issues most important to the American people.

 

What’s your take on the future of health care coverage?

  

Long before the election, we’ve been asking nurses to share their experiences with lawmakers and with each other. What you’ve seen and learned in the classroom and on the job is the truth of healthcare in America. But ever since the election, news stories on TV and online only want to talk about the political fights around healthcare – not the truth from nurses like you.

That’s why we’ll keep sharing your stories here in Washington – so the new Congress and the new administration see more than the political stakes and the dollar signs.

They need to hear the experiences of nurses like Lisa:

It would be grand if the ACA could be “fixed” to allow truly affordable coverage. I see patients at least once a week without coverage, and I work only with children. Those without are middle class who don’t make enough to afford it and make too much for assistance. I know families without insurance because they can’t afford the premiums. I know those whose jobs have been cut back to part time so employers can avoid offering too expensive health care. – Lisa, MI

And Cindy:

Many of my patients struggle to afford their medications, deductibles are going up as are monthly premiums. I don’t understand why the CEOs of insurance companies get paid such exorbitant salaries while denying coverage for basic diabetes supplies.

I would hope some kind of compromise could be reached in order to continue Medicaid expansion to all 50 states. Since I work in pediatrics, many of my patients are young adults who rely on their parent’s insurance coverage until age 26, so this needs to stay in place. – Cindy, TN

While pundits and politicians debate questions of health insurance in terms of millions of patients, or billions of dollars, they’re missing the vital perspective of nurses who work one-on-one with patients who could lose access to healthcare altogether.

And for nurses like Sarah, it hits even closer to home:

I am a nurse who is caring for my disabled parents and 3 small children. I also have my 24 year old cousin who lives with me. The Affordable Care Act makes sure that half of the members of my household have access to affordable healthcare. It also effects the ability of my patients to have access to mental health care. Please, do not repeal the ACA. You will plummet families like mine into financial crisis. – Sarah, CO

Lisa, Cindy, and Sarah see the struggles of their patients every day. And by sharing their own experiences, they’re helping Washington see more clearly what’s really at stake as the new Congress begins talking about massive changes to our healthcare system.

What have you seen that Washington needs to hear if they’re going to get healthcare right? Leave a comment below to weigh in!

Final VA APRN Rule Released

  

Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued a final rule to permit full practice authority for three out of four recognized roles of VA advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) which include Certified Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) and Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs).  The VA has taken an important step to ensure veterans have access  to the timely, effective and efficient care they have earned.

However, ANA remains concerned with the final rule’s exclusion of  Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNAs), which is solely based on the VA’s belief that there is no evidence of a shortage of anesthesiologists impacting access to care.

ANA  joins our colleagues in advocating for CRNAs to have full practice authority within the VA health care system.

The VA has provided an additional 30-day comment period on full practice authority for CRNAs.