2013 News Archive
NC Welcomes 60th Member
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
The members of the Nursing Community are pleased to welcome the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses to the Nursing Community!
NC Welcomes 59th Member
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
The members of the Nursing Community are pleased to welcome the Association of Veterans Affairs Nurse Anesthetists as our 59th member!
NC Urges Protection for Federal Nursing Programs
Friday, November 15, 2013
The House and Senate have convened a bipartisan, bicameral budget conference committee led by Senate Budget Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan (R-WI). They will have until December 13, 2013 to find a compromise to fund the government beyond the end of the current Continuing Resolution, which expires on January 15, 2014. The Nursing Community wrote a letter to the Budget Conference Committee requesting they protect federal investments in nursing education and research programs from further cuts in FY 2014 and into the future.
NC Supports PARTS Act
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
The Protecting Access to Rural Therapy Services (PARTS) Act was introduced in the Senate as S. 1143 on June 12, 2013 by Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), John Thune (R-SD), and Jon Tester (D-MT). It has been referred to the Committee on Finance. The PARTS Act was introduced in the House as H.R. 2801 on July 23, 2013 by Reps. Kristi Noem (R-SD), Collin C. Peterson (D-MN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Steve Daines (R-MT). It has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. The PARTS Act would allow certain outpatient therapeutic and diagnostic services to be provided under general supervision, rather than direct supervision, of a physician or certain non-physician practitioner.
NC Supports Protecting Access to Primary Care Act
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
The Protecting Access to Primary Care Act (H.R. 2986) was introduced on August 2, 2013 by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR). The bill would amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to extend the temporary Medicare payment rate floor for primary care services to nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, physician assistants, and certified nurse-midwives. It has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.
NC Opposes H.R. 2817
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
On October 8, 2013, the Nursing Community sent a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee urging them to oppose the Protect Patient Access to Quality Health Professionals Act of 2013 (H.R. 2817). The bill would repeal Section 2706 of the Public Health Service Act, "Non-Discrimination in Health Care," which is designed to ensure that health plans do not discriminate against qualified licensed providers, including APRNs, and clearly respects state scope of practice laws.
VA Proposes Recognizing APRNs as Licensed Independent Practitioners
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
The Nursing Community sent a letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki expressing support for the proposed change to the Veterans Health Administration's Nursing Handbook 1180.03 recognizing advanced practice registered nurses (including nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists and clinical nurse specialists) as Licensed Independent Practitioners.
NC Hosts Webinar on Afforable Care Act Implementation
Thursday, September 12, 2013
The Nursing Community hosted a webinar called "Implementation of the ACA: What Nurses Need to Know" featuring
Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH, Senior Advisor to the Administrator at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Ellen-Marie Whelan, PhD, RN, Senior Advisor at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Innovation Center. Dr. Cohen addressed the expansion of insurance coverage with the launch of the new Health Insurance Marketplace on Oct 1st and took questions on these timely topics. Dr. Whelan discussed the impact of the ACA on nursing practice and offered some guidance for nurses as to how best to prepare for the transition.
NC Thanks Senate for Support of Nursing
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
The Nursing Community sent a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee expressing appreciation for your support of nursing education, research, and practice in the FY13 appropriations bill.
NC Applauds Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2013
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
The Nursing Community sent letters thanking Representatives Greg Walden (R-OR) and Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) for introducing the Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2013 in the House, as well as to Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) for introducing it in the Senate.
Marilyn Tavenner Appointed CMS Administrator
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
The Nursing Community sent a letter congratulating Marilyn Tavenner, MHA, RN, on her appointment to CMS Administrator. She is the first nurse to hold this important leadership position.
NC Submits Funding Level Recommendations
Tuesday, May 31, 2013
The Nursing Community sent letters to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies detailing our FY14 funding requests.
NC Thanks President for Dedication to Nursing Funding
Monday, May 7, 2013
On May 7, 2013, the Nursing Community sent President Obama a letter of gratitude for his continued support of nursing education, research, and practice in his Fiscal Year 2014 budget proposal, which included a recommendation to increase funding to the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development programs and to the National Institute of Nursing Research.
Happy National Nurses Week! NC Recognizes Congressional Nursing Champions
Monday, May 7, 2013
On May 6, 2013, Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) introduced H.Res. 201 Supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week.
NC Submits Appropriations Testimony to Senate
Monday, May 6, 2013
The Nursing Community submitted testimony to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.
NC Submits Appropriations Testimony to House
Friday, March 15, 2013
On March 15, 2013, the Nursing Community submitted testimony to the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies regarding Fiscal Year 2014 Appropriations for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs, the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), and Nurse-Managed Health Clinics. The testimony requests $251 million for the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Nursing Workforce Development programs, $150 million for the NINR within the National Institutes of Health, and $20 million in authorized funding for the Nurse-Managed Health Clinics.
NC Submits Nominations for MedPAC
Friday, March 8, 2013
The Nursing Community sent a letter requesting Mary D. Naylor, PhD, RN, FAAN be reappointed for an additional term on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). The NC also put forward two additional names for consideration, should additional space become available. These were Nancy Ridenour, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN, and Catherine J. Dodd, PhD, RN, FAAN.
NC Urges President to Continue Support of Nursing Funding
Friday, March 1, 2013
The Nursing Community sent a letter to President Obama thanking him for his continued support of nursing programs and urging him to prioritize investments in our nation’s nursing workforce through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Nursing Workforce Development programs, the National Institute of Nursing Research, and the Nurse-Managed Health Clinics.
NC Requests Congress Protect Nursing Funding in FY 2013
Thursday, February 28, 2013
On February 28, 2013, the Nursing Community sent a letter to the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee on Appropriations requesting that full funding be preserved for the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Nursing Workforce Development programs in Fiscal Year 2013.
Rep. Joyce Becomes House Nursing Caucus Co-Chair
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Representative David Joyce (R-OH) has been selected to be the new House Nursing Caucus Co-Chair. Rep. Joyce is serving his first term in the House of Representatives and will replace the retiring Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-OH).
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, AARP, and NC Reception a Success!
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, AARP, and the Nursing Community joined forces on February 27, 2013 to host a reception to celebrate State Mobilization: Achieving the Future of Nursing's Campaign for Action Goals. The reception, cosponsored by the House and Senate Nursing Caucuses, was attended by several members of Congress and their staff.
NC Nominates Marilyn Tavenner for CMS Administrator
Monday, February 25, 2013
On February 25, 2013, the Nursing Community submitted a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance expressing support for the nomination of Marilyn Tavenner, RN, MHA for the position of Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
NC Mourns Tragic Loss of Senator Inouye
Thursday, January 31, 2013
NC members were filled with sorrow at the death of long-time nursing champion Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI). Our members had the distinct privilege of working with the Senator on many occasions. His loss will be deeply felt.
Welcome 113th Congress!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
On January 22, 2013, the Nursing Community, in collaboration with the House Nursing Caucus co-chairs, Congresswoman Lois Capps, RN (CA-24) and Congressman David Joyce (OH-14), hosted Welcome Reception for 113th Congress. The Nursing Community also sent a letter to each Member of Congress welcoming them to the 113th Congress and presenting the NC as a resource on nursing issues.
Nursing Champion Rep. LaTourette Retires
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The NC sent a letter to Representative Steve LaTourette (R-OH) expressing our sincere gratitude for his service as Co-Chair of the House Nursing Caucus. The members of the Nursing Community will miss his leadership and unwavering support of the nursing profession.
Debra Barksdale Reappointed to PCORI Board of Governors
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
NC organizations were thrilled to see Debra Barksdale, PhD, RN, CFNP, CANP, appointed to serve another term on the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Board of Governors and as Chair of the PCORI Subcommittee on Scientific Publications. The NC applauds her leadership and representation of the nursing profession.
"Implementation of the ACA: What Nurses Need to Know" Webinar
Featuring Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH, Senior Advisor to the Administrator at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Ellen-Marie Whelan, PhD, RN, Senior Advisor at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Innovation Center.
Dr. Cohen addressed the expansion of insurance coverage with the launch of the new Health Insurance Marketplace on Oct 1st and took questions on these timely topics. Dr. Whelan discussed the impact of the ACA on nursing practice and offered some guidance for nurses as to how best to prepare for the transition. Click here to view their slides.