FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/October 1, 1996 CONTACT: Sara Foer [202-651-7023]; Joan Meehan [202-651-7020] ANA Hails Approval of FY 1997 Spending BillANA Lobbying Nets Increases for Nursing ProgramsWASHINGTON, DC -- The American Nurses Association (ANA) today commended President Clinton and Congress for the final work of the 104th Congress -- the massive spending bill. The Senate sent the bill to the President last night just hours before the start of the new fiscal year and less than a week before the final adjournment of the 104th Congress. Signed by President Clinton hours after he received it, the bill focuses more on the President's domestic priorities than those of the mostly Republican Congress and it averts yet another government shutdown.President Clinton called this victory "good for America because it continues to move us toward a balanced budget while protecting, not violating, our values." The 84 to 15 Senate approval of the legislation provides about $356 billion for domestic programs and benefits. The bill includes funding for several important nursing programs for which ANA has actively been lobbying. "We commend Congress for recognizing the contributions of professional nursing to the health and welfare of our citizens and for recognizing nursing as a valuable national resource as reflected in this comprehensive piece of legislation," said ANA President Beverly L. Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN. In March of this year, ANA praised President Clinton for demonstrating priority funding for primary care medicine, public health training, and nursing education practice initiatives in his proposed FY 1997 budget. Through collaborative efforts by ANA, the White House, and particularly Representative Henry Bonilla (R- 23rd TX), $65 million has been slated to fund programs under the Nurse Education Act. This figure represents a $7 million increase over the FY 1996 funding of $58 million. "It is crucial to ensure adequate funding for nursing education so that an appropriate supply of well-educated professionals is available to meet the nation's diverse and growing health care needs of today and of the future," said Malone. In addition, ANA applauded the inclusion of the following funding levels: National Institute for Nursing Research -- $59.7 million, which is a $4 million increase over FY 1996. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) -- $325 million for FY 1997, which equals a $22 million increase over FY 1996. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) -- $141 million for FY 1997, which is a $13 million increase over FY 1996. Another result of ANA's efforts is that ANA was successful in obtaining language in the conference committee report urging the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) to extend the four-site Community Nursing Organizations (CNOs) demonstration project for an additional year. By combining the financing and delivery of health care services to those over 65 in one package, the CNOs provide mechanisms for addressing patients' needs in an environment of shrinking resources. The demonstration, a capitated model of nurse-managed health care, provides community-based health services to the elderly at a predictable and controlled rate by using RNs as health educators and care coordinators. ANA is working with the administration to ensure HCFA's compliance with this congressional recommendation. The committee report also includes language in support of the Office of Occupational Health Nursing, stating that it recognizes the office "as the principle source of occupational health nursing expertise as OSHA continues to develop, review, and analyze policies, guidelines, standards, and compliance activities." Finally with respect to other key health care issues, the bill includes $12.7 billion for the National Institutes of Health, $371 million more than President Clinton requested and increases for various programs like disease prevention, substance abuse control, and violence against women initiatives.
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