WOUND OSTOMY CONTINENCE NURSES SOCIETY

FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE REPORT

Health Care Reform

On March 23rd President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
into law (HR 3590).

Some of the feature of this bill include:

     Cost: $940 billion over 10 years.
     Number Covered: 32 million uninsured (total 95% compared to 83% now).
     Insurance Mandate: Almost everyone must be insured or else pay a fine. There is an
          exception for low income people. Effective 2014.
     Insurance Market Reform: This year insurers will not be able to place a lifetime dollar
          limit on policies, deny coverage to children due to preexisting conditions or cancel
          policies when someone becomes sick. Kids can be kept on parents insurance until
          age 26.
     Medicaid: Federal - State Medicaid insurance program to cover people with incomes up
          133 percent of the federal poverty level $29,327 for a family of four.
     Prescription Drugs: Gradually closes the "doughnut hole" by 2020.

This act is 2400 pages and it is doubtful that anyone totally understands what is in it yet.

On March 25th the House of Representatives voted yes to the Health and Education
Reconciliation Act (HR 4872). This is to amend  the Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act. This bill removes some of the controversial provisions that benefited single states.

Physician Reimbursement
Medicare reimbursement was scheduled to be cut by 21.2% to physicians last year based on the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. The cut was delayed until October 1, 2009 and then ultimately until April 1, 2010. The delay was to give Congress time to adjust the SGR formula. SGR links Part B Medicare reimbursement to the gross domestic product.

Earlier this month the Senate voted to delay the physician pay cut until October 1. However the House did not act, and as a result the April 1 decision by both chambers stands.

Congress can still return from their two week holiday and decide on the bill retroactively, however the House does not vote on legislation until April 13th. This leaves Medicare and TRICARE recipients in limbo.

Submitted by,
Laurie Barnett RN, CWOCN

MARCH 3, 2010 REPORT EFFECTIVE DATE.

2010-2011 Legislative Session

New Jersey Main Bill Information 

A202 Requires public schools to include instruction on caffeine-related Health issues as part of the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. Last Session Bill Number: A2937http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/A3000/2937_I1.PDF 

A1379-Provides immunity against wrongful birth and wrongful life suits
Last Session Bill Number: A1273
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/A1500/1273_I1.PDF 

A965 Establishes three-year Nurse Educator Pilot Program in Division of Consumer Affairs.
Last Session Bill Number: A207
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/A0500/207_I1.PDF 

S963 Establishes minimum registered professional nurse staffing standards for hospitals and ambulatory surgery facilities and certain DHS facilities. Identical Bill Number: A660    Last Session Bill Number: S1233
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/S1500/1233_I1.PDF

S803Requires newly licensed registered professional nurse to attain baccalaureate degree in nursing within 10 years of initial licensure. Identical Bill Number: A1640    Last Session Bill Number: S620   A3768
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/S1000/620_I1.PDF

A790 Requires Health insurance coverage for anesthesiology services in connection with outpatient diagnostic screenings, including colonoscopies. Last Session Bill Number:
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/S1000/620_I1.PDF

A724 Requires insurers and State Health care coverage programs to cover cost of HIV vaccine. Last Session Bill Number: A963
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/A1000/963_I1.PDF

A673 Establishes the " Healthy Workplace Act." Last Session Bill Number: A1551
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/A2000/1551_I1.PDF

A253 Prohibits Health care institutions from discharging medications into sewer or septic systems. Identical Bill Number: S248    Last Session Bill Number: A3191   S2390
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/A3500/3191_I1.PDF 

Submitted by Barry Bontempo RN, CWCN, OCN

MARCH 2010 REPORT: 

Nursing Care Quality Protection Act (A1752/S3527) 
Requires hospitals and nursing homes to disclose information related to nurse staffing levels and nursing quality indicators (falls, medication errors, and pressure ulcers). Signed in October 2009, goes into effect March 2010. Hospitals are required to report the numbers of RNs and LPNs providing direct care and the ratio of patients to nurses; the number of unlicensed personnel providing direct care; the incidence of adverse patient events such as medication errors and injuries; and the method the hospital uses for determining and adjusting staffing levels.

Safe Staffing Ratios (A2264)
Establishes minimum nurse to patient ratios in all of health care facilities. Bill was agreed upon by labor unions in NYS that represent registered nurses. In Senate Health and Assembly Health Committees.

Educational Advancement (A2079/S1074)
Reguires that nurses earn their baccalaureate within ten years of initial licensure while "grandfathering" nurses already in practice and nursing students already enrolled. In Senate and Assembly Higher Education Committees.

Preventing Workplace Violence (A3103)
Increases penalties for an individual convicted of assaulting a nurse while he or she is at work. Passed Senate now in Assembly Codes Committee.

Safe Patient Handling (A2047)
Requires all facilities implement a safe patient handling policy to reduce the manual lifting of patients by direct car staff. In Senate Health and Assembly Ways and Means Committees.

NYSNA has also made the budget a major legislative priority. Governor Patterson released his proposed executive budget for 2010-2011 calling for $1 billion in reductions to health care and an additional $240.2 million in assessments and surcharges on hospitals, nursing homes and home care providers. He also proposed a $143,100 cut to funding included in last year's budget to expand SUNY nursing programs.

Respectfully submitted,
Jody Scardillo

House Bill 1445- Rep. Soloburg

Act providing standards for carbon monoxide alarm and for powers and duties of the Dept of Labor & Industry and imposing penalties:
            1/25/10 voted favorably from committee as amended House Appropriations.
            1/25/10 reported as amended House Appropriations.
            3/8/10 set on House calendar. 

Senate Bill 464 Rep. Browne

Act providing for use of volunteer time by Health Care professionals in meeting continuing educational requirement.
            1/25/10- voted favorable from committee to House Appropriations.
            1/25/10- reported as committed from House Appropriations.
            3/8/10- set on House calendar.

*** Must be at community based health clinics that cater to low-income/ uninsured individuals.  Health care professionals may count no more that 20% of their volunteer time towards their continuing education credits.