MCNP & MANA 2.14 Advocacy Campaign in Support of H. 2009 / S. 1079

Posted on 2/14/2014 in Federal Legislative News

February Call to Action!
Starting on 2/14 let's generate 214 support letters and e-mails!

Your advocacy is needed now!

Did you know that for the last 20 years, Massachusetts NPs and CRNAs have lived under a licensing law that is one of the most restrictive in the country? We are required to have guidelines with an individual physician that dictate what we may do, not what we can do. These guidelines often are not based on our competencies. We're required to have a "supervising physician" conduct a retrospective quarterly review of a portion of the prescriptions we have already written. This review has nothing to do with patient safety. Our laws also require regulation not just by the Board of Registration in Nursing, but also the Board of Registration in Medicine. Only five other states still have this antiquated dual oversight.

Barriers to practice have resulted in real obstacles for our patients. At a time when there are documented access problems, many NPs are obstructed from practicing as primary care providers. Access problems for our patient swill only intensify as coverage expands under health care reform. Significant barriers also exist for CRNAs who are restricted to writing prescriptions for their patients within 24 hours of surgery even though their peri-operative care often falls outside of this time frame.

We know you agree this legal licensing framework does not enhance patient safety or decrease the cost of care. The Institute of Medicine, the National Governor's Association and the Federal Trade Commission agree with you....but your legislators need to hear this from you. These national stakeholders cannot replace the importance of your advocacy.

Valentines Day is about expressing how you feel. In the spirit of this 2/14 celebration, we ask that you join the MCNP and MANA campaign to educate your legislators that these barriers to practice must be eliminated!

In politics, if you don't act, your silence is perceived as apathy. In other words, you just don't care.

• Show the Legislature that you care.

• You care about your patients and you care about your practice.

Together, let's generate at least 214 e-mails and letters to members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate urging them to pass H. 2009 / S. 1079 An Act Improving the Quality of Health Care and Reducing Costs. This bill will eliminate these barriers to practice.

Get inspiredby viewing this short video featuring MCNPPresident Stephanie Ahmed, DNP, FNP-BC, MANA President Steve Alves, CRNA, PhD, FNAP, and policy strategist, Gloria Craven, MS.

Follow the link below to the MANA website for simple directions to communicate with your lawmakers.

CLICK HERE to ACT NOW and become one

of our 214 caring voices!

Share this video and email with your family and friends! They can also send letters in support of your work. FAMILY & FRIENDS CLICK HERE.

Join this effort! Your heart will feel better for doing so!