Lobby Day participants promote RNs right now! - Health Policy Issues

AORN Journal,  July, 2003  by Burke Beu

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AORN's Federal Affairs Conference and Lobby Day 2003 was held May 5 and 6 in Washington, DC, in conjunction with National Nurses Week, May 6 to 12. More than 100 participants learned the latest information about AORN's legislative priorities during the conference portion of the event and rallied on Capitol Hill before attending face-to-face meetings with members of the US Congress on Lobby Day. The theme for the event was RNs Right Now! This theme was designed to get the attention of elected officials and encourage perioperative RNs to be aware of the opportunities presented 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 on 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 opened the event with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Burke Beu, AORN legislative analyst, explained that the conference program was built on AORN's expanded legislative priorities and would include presentations about the nursing shortage and funding for the Nurse Reinvestment Act, patient safety, and the recently introduced Medicare Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA) Direct Reimbursement Act of 2003 (ie, HR 1388), as well as an acknowledgement of National Nurses Week. Frederick P. Franko, director of state public affairs, gave an update on state legislation, highlighting bills pertaining to scope of practice concerns and RNs in the circulating nurse role. Although the focus of the conference was on federal affairs, state bills and proposed state regulations often mirror the issues and strategies AORN pursues at the federal level.

Board member Nathalie Walker, RN, BS, CNOR, and Terri Aldama, RN, CNOR, CRNFA, gave a presentation about their experiences as recipients of AORN's Nurse In Washington Internship scholarships. They shared personal stories and pictures, noting that the saying "one person can make a difference" is especially true for nurses, who receive a high level of public trust. They stated that with more than 2.5 million RNs in the United States, each congressional district has an average of 5,000 RNs.

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

Reinvestment Act. Greenhill emphasized the importance of nursing associations, such 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 budget 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 nurses and encourage their legislative efforts. Rep Capps, an RN, introduced the Nurse Reinvestment Act in the House of Representatives last year.

Karen Titlow, RPT, MA, reported on the patient safety activities of the Leapfrog Group, a consortium of 135 large health care purchasing organizations working to improve patient safety by increasing consumer awareness, specifying a set of purchasing principles designed to promote safety advances, and rewarding health care providers who implement key 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 Nurse Corps, gave the keynote address for the conference, which was titled "National Nurses Week--Turning Awareness Into Action." She talked about the history of National Nurses Week and described the duties of congressional caucuses as well as the job functions of congressional detailees. Detailees are members of the military assigned to work with a federal official at the official's request to perform specialized research or information gathering. Pierce is a detailee in the office of Sen Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii).

Pierce suggested that Lobby Day activists remember the five Ps of successful advocacy--to be present, persistent, positive, patient, and passionate. During the question and answer portion of her presentation, she was joined by Armand Lambert, RN, BSN, CAPT, US Navy Nurse Corps, who is a perioperative nurse. The two received a standing ovation as audience members expressed their gratitude for the service of perioperative nurses 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 by 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 new members of Congress, as key contacts. He said that a Senate sponsor for a companion bill would be sought but that HR 1388 could be attached to a larger legislative vehicle for Medicare in the House of Representatives as proceedings progress in the coming months. Additionally, Friesen stated that on May 7, 2003, he and representatives of AORN would attend a meeting with officials of the General Accounting Office (GAO). The GAO soon will release a report on RNFA qualifications and Medicare reimbursement for surgical first assisting. This report should be helpful in promoting HR 1388.