July 20, 2010

Dear Fellows,

On Thursday, July 22, nursing organizations representing Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) will join together in support of H.R. 4993 the Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2010. Called “Virtual Capitol Hill Day,” hundreds of APRNs from across the country will participate by contacting their members of Congress, asking them to cosponsor this important bill.

The American Academy of Nursing (AAN), in support of an esteemed cadre of nursing colleagues, is asking its members to engage civically and help buoy legislation designed to break down workforce barriers. Provided below is language you can adopt and tailor to meet your own personal experiences.

Need contact information for your local Senator or Representative? Visit: http://www.aannet.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3312. Want to know if your representative already sponsors the bill? Visit: http://www.aanp.org/NR/rdonlyres/8C6E67B2-C572-4941-93BC-4E0E3E156F22/4111/Cosponsors.pdf

Please let us know of your efforts to champion this legislation and join a host of nurses advancing policy and the nursing profession.

Sincerely,

Catherine L. Gilliss,
AAN President

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear Representative / Senator [       ]:
 

As a nurse practitioner and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN), I am contacting you to request that before you return home for the August recess, you agree to cosponsor H.R. 4993 / or S.2814, the Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2010 as introduced by Representative Allyson Schwartz and Senator Susan Collins.

Nurse practitioners (NPs), as well as other advanced practice registered nurses, provide cost-effective and high quality care. Their independent practice, in numerous health care settings, has been recognized by Medicare for nearly 20 years. Home health, in particular, is one area where NPs are relied on for their expert clinical skills. This is particularly true in parts of the country where access to physicians is limited.

Medicare policy is compromising the ability of nurse practitioners to provide continuity of care to Medicare patients requiring home health services. Under Medicare, nurse practitioners are not authorized to order directly home health services even though they can provide all other aspects of care for that patient leading up to and after the home health services order has been placed. This requirement necessitates the inclusion of another provider who may not be aware of the patient or his condition. In many cases, this means that the patient must come in for a second office visit, at considerable cost to both the patient and to Medicare.
 

ADD ANY OTHER PERSONAL MESSAGE OR EXPERIENCE, AS APPLICABLE
 

H.R. 4993 / S. 2814, the Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2010 recognizes and authorizes nurse practitioners as eligible health care professions who can order home health services under Medicare, ensuring that Medicare patients requiring these services receive optimal continuity of care. Please support this important legislation as a cosponsor of H.R. 4993 / S. 2814.
 

Sincerely,

[Fellow]
 

Return to News and Announcements