When I graduated from nursing school, I instantly became the “go-to” person in my family for all things medical. I’m sure many, if not all of you, can relate to this phenomenon. I was immediately the one who was called if anyone was injured or sick. It was just expected that I had all the answers because I was an RN, even when the questions were beyond my knowledge and experience.

Over the past year, it has also been expected that I had the answers about the proposed health care reform bill. How would it affect my parents’ medication expenses? Will everyone really have access to health insurance, even those with preexisting conditions? Would my 25-year old cousin who is unemployed be able to access coverage through his mother’s employer? 

Last evening, the U.S. House of Representative passed President Obama’s health care reform bill (passed by the Senate in December).  While there are still political technicalities to be addressed before the bill becomes law, I think it’s important for us nurses to know what this health care reform can mean in the immediate future and down the road. Here are some resources that I think are helpful for understanding the details of HCR:

• Read an overview or access the full pdf of the President’s proposal.
• From the American Nurses Association, What HCR Does For You includes a list of immediate changes that will be seen this year.
• In a recent post on AJN’s Off the Charts Might Health Care Reform Happen? And What Will It Mean for Nurses? you’ll find a list of provisions related to nursing.

Please share your resources on health care reform information by leaving me a comment here.  I’m sure more questions will be headed my way!