[-jt]

NYSNA Practice and Governmental Affairs: Legislative Alert

Action Needed: Urge US Senators to support the new Collins/Mikulski Amendment for increased funding of the Nurse Reinvestment Act

Both the House and Senate are moving to finalize their funding proposals for nursing education, recruitment, and retention - including the programs established in the Nurse Reinvestment Act. The bill that passed the House of Representatives (H.R. 2660) and the Senate Committee bill (S. 1356) contain FLAT funding ($0 increase) for these programs. With such inadequate funding, the benefits of the Nurse Reinvestment Act will never be realized.

Fortunately, Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) will offer an amendment on the Senate floor to increase funding for nursing education by $63 million.

Please contact your Senators to urge them to Support the Collins/Mikulski amendment. Congress must complete the promise of the Nurse Reinvestment Act.

Do not delay; the Senate will begin debate on the health funding bill on September 2.

Suggested Message to Senators:

“I urge you to support the Collins/Mikulski amendment that will provide a $63 million increase in fiscal year 2004 funding for nursing workforce development programs (Title VIII, Public Health Service Act) in the health appropriations bill. This is the minimal investment needed to fulfill the promise of the Nurse Reinvestment Act and address the growing crisis caused by the nursing shortage.”

For additional information, visit the ANA's Federal Advocacy web page in its Government Affairs section at www.ANA.org



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[NurseStacey143]

I contacted Texas senators and also sent an email out to my nursing class so they can participate!

[ainz]

Thanks -jt.

If nurses want to do something to help the profession:

HERE IS YOUR CHANCE!!!

Let congress hear from you please!!!!!!!

Again, there is NO QUICK FIX to the issues that face nursing, it will be a grass roots organization-by-organization thing. We should also join our association to that we have a strong voice.

[-jt]

ANA Supported Amendment for Nursing Education Passes

The Senate unanimously agreed on Wednesday, September 10, to accept the Mikulski/Collins amendment for nursing education funding. The final amendment would increase funding for the nursing workforce development programs of Title VIII (including the Nurse Reinvestment Act) by $50 million - a 55% increase over FY 2003 funding.

This major victory was made possible by the hard work of the state nurses associations and individual nurses across the nation who contacted their Senators in support of the amendment offered by Sens.Mikulski (D-MD) and Collins (R-ME).

Thank you!

http://www.ANA.org