For more information, go to www.anapoliticalpower.org.

State News

With the majority of state legislatures back in session, the ANA and its constituent member associations (CMAs) continue to promote the ANA’s Nationwide State Legislative Agenda, legislative and regulatory initiatives that will support nursing practice and promote patient safety. So far this year, CMAs in 13 states are backing legislation that would prevent nurses from being forced to work mandatory overtime. Kentucky and Minnesota have introduced legislation calling for the development of ergonomics standards. CMAs in 12 states are also promoting legislation to prevent nurses from being fired or discriminated against for “blowing the whistle” on unsafe patient care practices.

Legislation in 14 states would mandate the development and implementation of nurse staffing plans, including, in some cases, specific nurse-to-patient ratios. On January 1 California became the first state to implement nurse-to-patient ratios regulations. One hospital has already suspended its acute care operations, claiming it could not financially meet the regulations’ requirements. In addition, a hospital industry group has sued the California Department of Health because it believes the ratio requirement is too financially onerous. Other hospitals, however, have met the staffing requirement.

The ANA and CMAs in 10 states are also supporting state legislation that would expand prescriptive authority, scope of practice, and reimbursement of services provided by advanced practice RNs.

For more information, go to www.anapoliticalpower.org and click on “State Advocacy.”

Election Alert

In addition to organizing election activities, encouraging nurses to vote, and showcasing nurses as a national political force, the ANA is currently completing its presidential endorsement process. The ANA has conducted interviews with most of the presidential candidates and asked them to complete questionnaires to identify nursing-specific policy issues. ANA members also had the opportunity to provide input into the endorsement by voting in the ANA’s Virtual Voting Booth in February. The ANA board is expected to make an endorsement decision in the near future.

Nurses can get involved in the election process through the ANA’s Nurses Working in Nationwide Campaigns 2004 (Nurses WIN 2004) program, which calls on nurses nationwide to register to vote, participate in the presidential primaries and caucuses, and volunteer for the campaign of their choice.

To learn more about the presidential candidates and Nurses WIN 2004, go to www.anapoliticalpower.org, click on “Grassroots Tool Kit” and then click on “Election 2004 Action Center.” 

Tips for Political Action

The February 2004 “Politics of Caring” column provided tips on meeting with a member of Congress or congressional staff to discuss a specific legislative issue. Just as important are the steps that should be taken after the visit:

• Write or call legislators and their staffs to thank them for their time. Remind them of anything they may have agreed to do and send additional information.
• Share the results of your meetings with the ANA’s Department of Government Affairs (write to gova@ana.org) and your state nurses’ association.
• Find out when the legislators will be in your home district hosting town hall meetings or forums, and organize a group to attend.
• Maintain communication through letters, phone calls, and further visits.

For more tips, go to www.anapoliticalpower.org and click on “Grassroots
Tool Kit.”

Rose Gonzalez is director of government affairs and Connie Helmlinger is the former periodicals manager at the ANA.

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