Exploring other associations' legislative agendas: AORN staff members were able to meet with state legislators and their assistants in one location and visit other exhibitors to learn about their issues, strategies, and programs - Health Policy Issues

AORN Journal,  August, 2003  by Burke Beu

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Frederick P. Franko, director of state public affairs, and Burke Beu, legislative analyst, represented AORN at the annual meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), held July 21 to 25, in San Francisco. This annual meeting is an excellent opportunity for AORN staff members to meet with hundreds of state legislators and their assistants in one location.

AORN's booth in the NCSL exhibit hall provided information on perioperative nursing, AORN's legislative priorities, and state legislative issues affecting AORN members in particular and nurses in general. The meeting also offered a chance for AORN staff members to visit with other exhibitors and learn about their issues, strategies, and programs. Almost 300 organizations, including voluntary health organizations, clinical professional associations, medical specialty associations, and other nursing specialty associations, participated in the NCSL exhibit hall. In addition to AORN, specialty nurse groups present included the American Academy of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), and National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). A brief summary of each organization's legislative agenda follows.

AORN

One of AORN's top legislative priorities is direct Medicare reimbursement for RN first assistants (RNFAs). AORN has supported bills in Congress that would provide certified RNFAs (CRNFAs) with direct Medicare reimbursement and has been working this summer to attach an amendment to the comprehensive Medicare reform bill. This amendment would establish a demonstration project providing direct Medicare reimbursement to CRNFAs in five states for three years. The reimbursement rate would be 13.6% of the surgeon's fee, compared to 16% currently reimbursed to physicians who first assist. Physicians submit 90% of the Medicare claims for this role. The five states would be determined by the US Secretary of Health and Human Services. The result of this effort had not yet been decided at the time this article was written.

Patient safety is another top priority for AORN. The Patient Safety First initiative was introduced by AORN to identify, collect, and develop clinical and educational resources to improve patient safety in surgical settings. This program has led to expanded efforts at AORN to assess state and federal legislation addressing patient safety. Copies of the Patient Safety First informational brochure are available on request from AORN's Government Affairs Department at (800) 755-2676 x 233.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CRITICAL-CARE NURSES

The AACN takes positions each year on proposed bills and policy concerns as they relate to the organization's priority issues statement, which was approved by its board of directors in August 1996. These priority issues are access to quality care by vulnerable populations, public and community safety, and humane and ethical treatment for patients. (1) The association also develops advocacy programs with voluntary health organizations such as the American Heart Association and the National Kidney Foundation.

The AACN encourages its members to become active in public policy and the legislative arena. It provides a variety of resources to identify legislators and initiate communication with elected officials. The association is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, Calif, a suburb of Los Angeles.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NURSE ANESTHETISTS

The AANA has a free-standing federal government affairs office and political action committee (PAC) in Washington, DC. The association's main offices, along with state government affairs offices, are located in Park Ridge, Ill, in suburban Chicago. The AANA concentrates its legislative agenda on securing regulatory rulings that define what nurse anesthetists do and allow for professional practice.

The AANA seeks to defend recent decisions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to defer to the states regarding physician supervision of nurse anesthetists while strengthening the organization of its state associations. (2) The association diligently pursues partnership opportunities with physician groups, the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, and government agencies with a health care mission.

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS

The AANP has an extensive legislative agenda encompassing public and private reimbursement issues, professional development, fiscal appropriations for nurse practitioner projects, antitrust laws, service to vulnerable populations, patient privacy, tobacco legislation, and regulations by the US Food and Drug Adrninistration. (3) The association currently is focused on lobbying Congress to restore funding for education and training programs listed under Title VIII of the federal budget for the US Department of Health and Human Services. These funds were cut in fiscal year 2003. (4) The AANP is based in Austin, Tex. A separately organized PAC in Washington, DC raises funds and makes financial contributions to congressional candidates.