As I prepared to ring in the new year, I started thinking about my past end-of-the-year (December) Editor's Memos. In 2005, I encouraged NPs to strive to meet the global resolutions (Healthy People 2010 Mid-Course Review) for a healthier nation, changing practice if necessary. In 2006, I urged NPs to stay the course for change, expressing my personal hope for change through the words of Sam Cooke's classic song, A Change is Gonna Come, and encouraging NPs to find their source of inner strength to continue working toward access to healthcare for all. In 2007, I reminded NPs to see beyond the political rhetoric of the campaign hopefuls and listen to their messages about healthcare system change in order to make informed choices at the voting booth. Finally, in 2008, I celebrated the election of Senator Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States, whose campaign motto and strategies echoed change.
NPs can effect CHANGE
I looked at the word "change" and tried to think of what the letters could represent if it were used as an acronym. I propose that CHANGE stand for Choose Healthcare Access Now That Grants Equality. Every NP has the opportunity and ability to participate in efforts for healthcare reform in the legislatures, personally at home, locally at the town or city hall, regionally at individual state legislatures, and nationally through elected officials in Washington, D.C. or lobbyists. Be involved. Write letters, send e-mails, make calls, fax messages, visit representatives, attend meetings, or anything else you might be asked to do.
This month's 21st Annual Legislative Update highlights both issues specific to each state and common issues at the national level. I once again commend Susanne Phillips and her team for producing an excellent and comprehensive document. High on the priority list this year is the Medicare Medical Homes Demonstration Project, which was expanded through H.R. 6331-Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. At present, the law includes only physicians as participants in the Project. Several Senators signed a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Leavitt requesting that he authorize the inclusion of NPs among the healthcare providers eligible to lead medical home demonstrations to increase access to primary care for more individuals. In part, the letter stated, "Nurse practitioners epitomize the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective care that is recognized by the Commission as crucial to the medical homes model." They further emphasized that during their educational preparation, NPs receive the knowledge and training, particularly in primary care, needed to meet the criteria for inclusion, and that NPs (and nurse-managed centers) have traditionally provided primary care services to the elderly urban, rural, and disadvantaged populations.
Do your part
A concerted, consistent, and cohesive effort by NPs and APNs is essential to ensure that we are included in new legislation and added to already existing laws. You can keep up-to-date on legislative issues and actions you can take by regularly reviewing the Web sites of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, American College of Nurse Practitioners, the National Nursing Centers Consortium, and specialty organizations. If you are not a member of one or more national NP or APN organization, there is no more exciting time than now to join and be a part of history. Paying dues is another way to support efforts for change; the money definitely helps an organization conduct business to meet the needs of its members. But the ultimate goal of all we do is to improve the quality of life of our patients. So, come on board to CHANGE.
Jamesetta Newland, RN, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP
Editor-in-Chief, [email protected]