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May 27, 2010
Gov. Rendell Becomes Raise the Voice Advisory Council Chair; Panel Examines PA’s Lead on Health Care Reform Washington, DC (May 27, 2010) — A panel discussion at the National Press Club, which examined Pennsylvania’s leadership position on health care reform, also launched Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell’s role as the new Advisory Council Chair of the American Academy of Nursing’s signature campaign, Raise the Voice. “Pennsylvania’s Experience: A Blueprint for Implementing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” looked at how reforms led by Rendell and nurse leaders paved the way for the landmark federal legislation enacted in March and how they are critical components of its execution. The event was moderated by Jackie Judd, Vice President and Senior Advisor for Communications at the Kaiser Family Foundation. Judd elicited insights from three panelists, including:
Raise the Voice is the Academy’s platform to identify and promote nurse-led or -designed models of health care that have demonstrated clinical and financial outcomes. A collaboration of Academy Fellows, partner organizations and consumer groups, the campaign has been a vehicle to inform policymakers, media, and health providers of nursing’s proven solutions. “Nurses play a critical and growing role in providing quality health care across the nation and I applaud their commitment to patient safety. I am proud that in Prescription for PA we dramatically expanded the scope of practice for nurses so that they could provide services to the full extent of their training,” Governor Rendell said. “The demand for highly trained professional nurses will continue to grow, especially as a result of health care reform. I believe that nurses are a vital and integral part of the plan to providing more affordable and accessible healthcare to our citizens. I look forward to working with the American Academy of Nursing to continue shaping public health policy that will benefit our citizens today and in the future.” Rendell assumes the position from The Honorable Donna Shalala, who served as the first Raise the Voice Chair and provided exemplary leadership, commitment and counsel to kick off the then-burgeoning program. Her credentials as the former Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the current President of the University of Miami set commendable expectations for the position, and Rendell similarly possesses the qualifications to lead the campaign through its next phase. Rendell, in the final year of his two-term tenure, spearheaded the Prescription for Pennsylvania initiative – a comprehensive program to improve the affordability, accessibility and quality of care. He has been previously engaged with Raise the Voice, supporting nurse-led efforts in his own state and working to eliminate institutional workforce barriers. Pennsylvania is home to six “Edge Runners,” who are nurse leaders featured within Raise the Voice whose innovations have demonstrated proven solutions “The Raise the Voice campaign has been treated to consummate leadership by the most competent of individuals,” AAN CEO Pat Ford-Roegner said. “Governor Rendell is helping to build a tradition of active, recognizable volunteers who are passionate about nursing and work tirelessly to improve the health care in America.” Visit www.aannet.org/raisethevoice for more information on the campaign. Raise the Voice is supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. ## # |