PA NURSES LEGISLATIVE ALERT: Your Action Is Needed!

**NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN** · Jun 18, 2004

introduction of [color=#336699]hb 2718 nursing student loan forgiveness

house bill 2718 will grant monetary incentives for students enrolling in nursing education programs leading to a diploma, associates or baccalaureate degree in nursing. the purpose of this act is to provide an incentive to pennsylvania students to pursue higher education and training in nursing which is essential to the delivery of quality health care services in this commonwealth.

take action now: write your legislators [color=#336699]here in support of hb 2718

pa nurses has created a template letter for your use, which may be accessed [color=#336699]here, we encourage you to alter the letter to represent your personal voice.

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support for [color=#336699]hb 2462 rnfa's

the services of registered nurse first assistants (rnfa) are increasing due to the shortage of surgeon's in pa, the decreasing reimbursements to physicians and the decrease in resident physicians hours. they need to obtain third party reimbursements in order to provide these services.

this bill states: every hospital, health or medical expense insurance policy, hospital or medical service contract, employee welfare benefit plan, health maintenance organization subscriber agreement, health and accident insurance policy or other insurance contract of this type, including a group insurance plan or self-insurance plan that provides medical and surgical benefits which are delivered, issued for delivery or renewed in this commonwealth on or after january 1, 2004, shall provide coverage of perioperative services rendered by a nurse first assistant.

take action now: write your legislators [color=#336699]here in support of hb2462

pa nurses has created a template letter for your use, which may be accessed [color=#336699]here, we encourage you to alter the letter to represent your personal voice.

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[color=#336699]hb 2371 will be going to the full house for a vote next week

house bill 2371 which amends the medical care availability and reduction in error act to provide for whistleblower protection and adds a complaint resolution process within the department of health. it also creates a statewide confidential, toll-free telephone line within the patient safety authority to enable health care practitioners to report on patient safety and the quality of patient care provided by a health care facility. the legislation provides a health care practitioner who in good faith files a complaint or makes a report with immunity from civil liability arising from the filing of the complaint. this bill has been voted out of the health and human services committee and will now be voted on by the full house next week. we urgently need nurses to contact their legislators about the importance of whisteblower protections. as nurses, we are patient advocates and need to support processes to ensure quality and safety for our patients. hb 2371 will do this. call or email your legislators by tuesday, june 22nd. the web site for the legislative center of the pa state nurses association to obtain a draft letter and email quickly is.

take action now: write your legislators [color=#336699]here in support of hb 2371.

pa nurses has created a template letter for your use, which may be accessed [color=#336699]here, we encourage you to alter the letter to represent your personal voice.