upon June 25 and 26, 2001 more than...

upon June 25 and 26, 2001 more than 300 AORN members from everywhere the country descended on the nation's capitol to advocate for perioperative nursing issues. They sought support for

* HR 822 the Medicare Certified Registered cherish First Assistant (CRNFA) Direct Reimbursement Act of 2001 introduced by way of Rep Mac Collins (R-Ga), and

* the maintenance of instant Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (formerly the Health Care Financing Administration) authoritys that prescribe nursing supervision in the OR.

AORN members met face-to-face with staff members of more than 200 representatives and 80 senators and with nearly 100 representatives and 25 senators themselves. To make secure that each of the 435 representatives' and 100 senators' offices were contacted forward Lobby Day, AORN members and staff members of McDermott Will & Emery--the international law firm occupyed by AORN to advance RN first assistant (RNFA) reimbursement--hand-delivered a personalized epistle from AORN President Sheila L Allen, RN BSN CNOR, CRNFA, to each office that was not personally visited from a constituent perioperative nurse. The literal meaning highlighted AORN's legislative issues and featured a commemorative first aid kit. Additionally, an advertisement for Lobby Day showing an RNFA during surgery was published in turn Call, the Capitol Hill newspaper, upon June 25. Perioperative nursing and AORN honestly made a presence on Capitol Hill. Highlights of the two-day interview will be featured at the 2002 AORN Congres in Anaheim, Calif.

As a consequence of this incredible effort on our members, AORN is pleased to report that 37 additional members of the US House of Representatives have signed as cosponsors of HR 822 AORN count upons more representatives to follow this lead as we continue to reap the benefits of the outstanding work of our members. The number of cosponsors totaled 72 at pres time (Table 1)

In addition, the US Congres heard AORN's message-- "Keep the RN in the OR"--loud and clear. At a time when the nursing shortage is a critical national transaction AORN's assertion that the federal command should not facilitate the use of les qualified personnel to come together staffing needs in the OR was apparent.

parley AND LOBBY DAY HIGHLIGHTS

The congressional visits onward Capitol Hill were preceded according to a Federal Affairs Conference upon June 25, which was designed to provide Lobby Day participants with information to make meetings their legislators successful

Sessions at the conversation covered the following topics:

* federal health legislation that affects perioperative nursing (eg novel bills addressing the nursing shortage);

* ways that political action committees can achieve federal public policy goals;

* federal programs that affect perioperative nursing;

* the dynamic political climate in Washington, DC and its event on public policy development; and

* a case meditation for building personal relationships with legislators.

Rep Lois Capps (D-Calif) spreaded the conference with a videotaped greeting. Rep Capps is the same of three nurses who labor for in the US Congress. She is a dedicated leader in the profession and was undivided of the original cosponsors of HR 822 Rep Capps emphasized the importance of supply with nourishments becoming politically active and meeting with their legislators. She also voiced her room for expectation that an AORN member might join her in representing nursing in the "Halls of Congress"

Mary Wakefield, RN PhD FAAN, provided the keynote address. Dr Wakefield is a professor and director of the Center for Health Policy, Research, and Ethics at George Mason University, Fairfax, Va, where she is involved in health policy analysis, research, and educational initiatives focused forward tele-health technology, quality health care, workforce issues, and international health policy. Dr Wakefield discussed the status of nursing and public policy issues affecting nursing in the of recent origin millennium.

Melody Mena, RN CNOR, and vice-chair of AORN's Legislative Committee, described to what extent she and her fellow Georgians cultivated a relationship with Rep Collins, educated him about perioperative issues, and readyed his decision to be the original cosponsor of HR 822

At a special breakfast onward June 26, AORN members gathered to honor Rep Collins while dining in the beautiful Russell Caucus sweep in the Russell Senate Office Building. President Allen not past nor futureed Rep Collins with a plaque reading "in appreciation for and recognition of your dedicated leadership onward behalf of perioperative nurses and surgical patients." AORN members gave Rep Collins several standing ovations during his acceptance language and remarks.

CONTINUING EFFORTS

Your continued assistance is exigencyed in affecting the congressionally mandated CRNFA reimbursement research being conducted by the US General Accounting Office (GAO). President Allen; President-elect Donna s Watson, RN, MSN, CNOR, ARNP, FNP-C; representatives from McDermott Will & Emery and the AORN GAO Task Force; and AORN staff members met while in Washington, DC with GAO officials responsible for the CRNFA reimbursement studious mood AORN will continue to help the GAO undiminished its study, which is suitable by December 2001.