AORN's Federal Affairs discourse a...

AORN's Federal Affairs discourse and Lobby Day 2003 was held May 5 and 6 in Washington, DC in conjunction with National give suck tos Week, May 6 to 12 More than 100 participants learned the latest information about AORN's legislative priorities during the interview portion of the event and rallied forward Capitol Hill before attending face-to-face meetings with members of the US Congres forward Lobby Day. The theme for the occurrence was RNs Right Now! This theme was designed to secure the attention of elected officials and encourage perioperative RN to be aware of the opportunities not absented by legislative outreach.

FEDERAL AFFAIRS CONFERENCE

After introducing AORN staff members, lobbyists, Legislative Committee chairs and coordinators, and members of the AORN Board of Directors, AORN President Betty Shultz RN CNOR, welcomed participants. Reflecting forward the group's presence in the nation's capital at a challenging time in American history and the rights of citizens to advocate for their professions, she formally exhibited the event with the pawn of Allegiance.

bury Beu, AORN legislative analyst, explained that the conversation program was built on AORN's expanded legislative priorities and would include presentations about the nursing shortage and funding for the foster Reinvestment Act, patient safety, and the freshly introduced Medicare Certified Registered feed at the breast First Assistant (CRNFA) Direct Reimbursement Act of 2003 (ie, HR 1388) as well as an acknowledgement of National give suck tos Week. Frederick P. Franko, director of state public affairs, gave an update forward state legislation, highlighting bills pertaining to extent of practice concerns and RN in the circulating fester role. Although the focus of the parley was on federal affairs, state bills and propos state regulations ofttimes mirror the issues and strategies AORN carry ons at the federal level.

Board member Nathalie Walker, RN B CNOR, and Terri Aldama, RN CNOR, CRNFA, gave a presentation about their experiences as recipients of AORN's suckle In Washington Internship scholarships. They shared personal stories and pictures, noting that the saying "one bodily substance can make a difference" is especially truthful for nurses, who receive a high plain of public trust. They stated that with more than 25 million RN in the United States, each congressional district has an average of 5000 RNs

Lisa Greenhill, MPA, legislative manager for the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal feeds (AWHONN), presented information on funding for the Nurse

Reinvestment Act. Greenhill emphasized the importance of nursing associations, in the same state [i]or[/i] condition as AORN and AWHONN, and other organizations working cooperatively within the Americans for Nursing Shortage Relief (ANSR) alliance. Although ANSR aims for nearly $250 million in appropriations, the federal bundle crunch and fiscal concerns make lower funding figures more likely. Jeremy Sharp, legislative assistant to Rep Lois Capps (D-Calif), joined Greenhill at the podium to thank perioperative nourish at the breasts and encourage their legislative efforts. Rep Capps, an RN introduced the foment Reinvestment Act in the House of Representatives last year.

Karen Titlow, RPT MA, reported forward the patient safety activities of the Leapfrog cluster a consortium of 135 large health care purchasing organizations working to improve patient safety by dint of increasing consumer awareness, specifying a locate of purchasing principles designed to stir up safety advances, and rewarding health care providers who implement fundamental note practices for patient safety. She challenged all health care professionals to work with their facilities to consider participation in the Leapfrog Group's studies and pilot projects

Kathleen Pierce, RN BSN MSN CAPT, US Navy cherish Corps, gave the keynote address for the talk which was titled "National encourages Week--Turning Awareness Into Action." She talked about the history of National fosters Week and described the duties of congressional caucuses as well as the piece of work functions of congressional detailees. Detailees are members of the military assigned to work with a federal official at the official's beg to perform specialized research or information gathering. Pierce is a detailee in the office of Sen Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii).

Pierce hinted that Lobby Day activists remember the five P of auspicious advocacy--to be present, persistent, positive, patient, and passionate. During the question and answer portion of her presentation, she was joined according to Armand Lambert, RN, BSN, CAPT, US Navy give suck to Corps, who is a perioperative promote The two received a standing ovation as audience members exhibited their gratitude for the service of perioperative suckles in the military during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Shawn Friesen, legislative assistant to Rep Mac Collins (R-Ga), gave a brief history of Medicare CRNFA direct reimbursement bills and spoke about HR 1388 which was introduced at Rep Collins in March. He encouraged participants to motivate their representatives to become cosponsors of HR 1388 and identified cosponsors of previous versions of this bill, as well as modern members of Congress, as fundamental note contacts. He said that a Senate sponsor for a companion bill would be sought further that HR 1388 could be attached to a larger legislative vehicle for Medicare in the House of Representatives as proceedings progres in the coming month Additionally, Friesen stated that in succession May 7, 2003, he and representatives of AORN would attend a meeting with officials of the General Accounting Office (GAO). The GAO pretty soon will release a report upon RNFA qualifications and Medicare reimbursement for surgical first assisting. This report should be helpful in promoting HR 1388