We attended an excellent health policy conference sponsored by AANP in Washington DC in preparation for a very productive visit to capitol hill, where we met with Senator Reed and Representative Magaziner and their staffs. 

In this 118th congress, AANP has compiled the major barriers to practice and access to care under one umbrella known as: "Improving Care & Access to Nurses" (ICAN), attached here. One of the priorities has bill numbers: Federal Employees Timely Access to Health Care for Workplace Injuries (FECA). This would allow NP's to diagnose and monitor the care of federal employees (postal workers, FAA, etc) who sustain workplace injuries. Bills:  S131/ HR 618.

Other priorities are:

1. ordering diabetic shoes
2. ordering and supervising cardiac and pulmonary rehab
3. allowing patients who are members of an ACO access to care without seeing a physician first
4. provide increase and stable Title VIII for nurse practitioner education

All of these are described in the attachment.  It is time for all of us to contact our legislators: Senators Reed/ Whitehouse; Rep Magaziner (district 2) Rep. Cicilline (district 1),

Follow the link below to the AANP advocacy center to contact these individuals. The letters are written and will identify your appropriate legislator by your zip code. You do not have to be a member. Any questions?? dcoppa@uri.edu

https://www.aanp.org/advocacy