Month: June 2021

FY 2022 budget proposal sets the stage for Biden administration

  

The Biden administration released its proposed FY 2022 budget, which helps bring some clarity to the continued priorities of the administration. The budget reflects the administrations promise to rebuild a strong public health and community-based care system that can respond to the health challenges faced in diverse areas across the United States. Many priorities of the administration align with ANA’s advocacy focus to support nurses in areas such as workforce, behavioral health, maternal health, rural health, preparedness and safety including personal protective equipment (PPE), and research.

Below are a few highlights from the proposed budget that align with the work of ANA:

  • $15.4 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which reflects the largest budget authority increase in nearly two decades. The funding would go to support core public health capacity improvements, modernize data collection, training for public health experts, and prepare for, and respond to emerging global threats.
  • $12.6 billion for the Health Resources and Service Administration, which is $497 million above FY 2021 enacted.
  • $52 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an increase of $9 billion above FY 2021 enacted. $6.5 billion of the $9 billion increase is to support the establishment of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, that is intended to speed transformational innovation in health research for diseases like cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. The remaining $2.5 billion will continue the research and translation into clinical practice for some of the most urgent challenges including the opioid crisis, climate change, and gun violence. ANA continues to monitor communications and opportunities to engage with the National Institute of Nursing Research under NIH.
  • An increase of $3.7 billion above FY 2021 enacted, for a total of $9.7 billion for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration with a charge to respond to the opioid and substance use epidemic by expanding programs and targeting prevention and treatment; and increasing access to mental health services to protect the health of children and communities.
  • $14.2 billion for the Department of Labor (DOL), including $665 million for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), $73 million above FY 2021 enacted, for increased enforcement and whistleblower protection programs. The DOL budget requests $285 million for apprenticeship programs, specifically $100 million increase for the Registered Apprentice Program. There is no additional information on the DOL industry-recognized apprenticeship programs (IRAPs), which have supported nurse training initiatives.

The Biden administration has been vocal about priorities that will transform the health care system. However, the administration’s budget is slightly more than a wish list. Ultimately it is up to Congress to fund the agencies. ANA urges the Administration and Congress to focus on rebuilding and transforming the health care system to improve on the challenges brought forth during the pandemic. Nurses have been the agents of transformative change in facilities, systems, and communities to support improved patient outcomes and advancing equity. Building on these successes, ANA will work with the agencies and administration to build on the budget priorities to continue to put nurses at the forefront of change.  

ANA is also working on the Hill for legislation that will address infrastructure and access for telehealth services, PPE for the current and future public health emergencies, and workplace safety programs for nurses. ANA’s advocacy includes a multi-pronged approach to deliver what nurses need in all settings. It is clear through the first budget of this administration that health care is a top priority to improve as we transition to a post-pandemic environment.

#ANAHillDay

  

With June officially underway, that means one thing: 2021 Hill Day and ANA’s annual Membership Assembly – ANA’s highest decision-making body – has begun!

There are meetings, events, and dialogue forums all month long for ANA’s constituent/state nurse’s associations voting representatives, organizational affiliates and other select invitees to attend. And in the Policy and Government Affairs world –Hill Day and our main call to action is the capstone event where staff capitalized on the virtual environment this year and opened the event up to all ANA members (registration has officially closed since we hit our max capacity of 500 participants).

It kicks off on June 8 with the Hill Day briefing. For those registered participants, attendance to this briefing is required to receive Continuing Education credits and to attend Hill Day on June 10, so make sure it is on your calendar. During the briefing, you will hear from several speakers as they discuss the issues we will be advocating for, how to conduct a virtual meeting, checking in with your groups, and remarks by ANA President, Dr. Ernest Grant, and this year’s Congressional keynote speaker, Representative Rodney Davis from Illinois. You will receive a lot of information but there is also the chance to ask questions during the briefing, as well as during and after your breakout session.

This year’s Hill Day is on Thursday, June 10. As of the posting of this blog, there are 530 participants and all 50 states will be represented! There are over 300 meetings already scheduled in the House of Representatives and Senate and that number continues to climb.

In advance of the June 8 briefing and your meetings on June 10, ANA will provide the issue briefs regarding the three legislative issues you will be advocating on this year. You can also go to the Membership Assembly portal and download these and other important resources. In short, here are the three bills for this year’s Hill Day:

S. 308/H.R. 1436 – Protecting Providers Everywhere in America (PPE in America Act). This legislation will boost domestic PPE production and promote a more sustainable supply chain by ensuring more predictable, dedicated funding from the Strategic National Stockpile to American manufacturers of PPE.

S. xxx/H.R. 1195 – Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act. This legislation will require the U.S. Department of Labor to establish needed protections from workplace violence in the health care and social services sectors.

S. 1512/H.R. 2903 – Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act. This legislation will continue the expanded use of telehealth services to deliver cost effective and efficient care to patients.

Overall, we are excited for you to connect with your Members of Congress and their staff again this year – albeit virtually. Share your stories and what you have experienced over the last year – they certainly want to hear them!

Last, but not least, if you are unable to attend Hill Day or missed the cutoff, you still can communicate with your Member of Congress on the PPE in America Act. Please make your voice heard today and help get this important legislative priority passed!

We’ll see those attending this week and for those completing the call to action, make sure you share it on social using #ANAHillDay on Twitter or Facebook.