Write a letter to your state representative or senator or member of the US Congress to discuss a health policy issue or piece of legislation related to health care/nursing that will be facing the legislature during the current/next session. Please review your topic for the letter with me before the event. Your letter may be sent via email or fax (either is preferred over U.S. mail service). If you email the legislator, you may have to copy and paste the letter into a webpage letter template. See link under Policy Resources: Contact Elected Officials- USA.org.
Make sure that you discuss appropriate legislation with the legislator. Discuss state issues with members of your state legislature (state representatives and state senators); discuss federal legislation only with members of Congress (U.S. representatives [member of Congress] or U.S. senators).
Your letter should be no longer than 1- 2 single-spaced pages and include:
• An explanation of the purpose of your letter to the legislator (at the beginning of the letter). For example: “I am requesting your support for HB XYZ, the nursing scholarship bill, that you will be addressing in the fall session” or “I will present my concerns the problems with Medicare D”).
• The piece of legislation you wish to discuss (have number of the bill, if discussing a particular bill) if there is a current bill or recent law.
• Your concerns/position on the issue/bill.
• A request for her/his support for your position.
• A phone number or email address for contacting you with a response.
You may provide the legislator, a one page statement of nursing’s position on the piece of legislation or health policy issue that you discuss with the legislator. This can be a handout from ANA-Illinois, ISAPN, IANA, or other nursing organizations. Please send me the handout to review. The assignment deadline is noted on the course calendar.
Summary: S.739 — 113th Congress (2013-2014)
All Bill Information (Except Text)
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There is one summary for S.739. Bill summaries are authored by CRS.
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Introduced in Senate (04/16/2013)
National Nursing Shortage Reform and Patient Advocacy Act – Amends the Public Health Service Act to require hospitals to implement a staffing plan that includes a minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratio by unit, adjustments above the minimum ratio under appropriate circumstances, and compliance with minimum licensed practical nurse staffing requirements. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop a national acuity tool to establish nurse staffing requirements above minimum ratios.
Directs the Secretary to adjust Medicare payments to hospitals (including hospitals operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs [VA] and long-term care hospitals) to cover additional costs incurred in providing services to Medicare beneficiaries that are attributable to compliance with such ratios.
Gives a nurse the right to act as the patient’s advocate, including by: (1) initiating action to improve health care or to change decisions or activities that are against the interests and wishes of the patient, and (2) giving the patient an opportunity to make an informed decision about health care before it is provided.
Authorizes a nurse to refuse to accept an assignment if it would violate minimum ratios under this Act or if the nurse is not prepared by education, training, or experience to fulfill the assignment without compromising the safety of any patient or jeopardizing the nurse’s license. Prohibits a hospital from: (1) taking specified actions against a nurse based on the nurse’s refusal to accept an assignment for such a reason; or (2) discriminating against any patient, employee, or any other individual for good faith complaints or grievances relating to the care, services, or conditions of the hospital or of any affiliated or related facilities. Prohibits actions by hospitals to restrain such rights.
Makes conforming amendments to titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act as well as to requirements for the VA health benefits program.
Includes stipends in the nurse workforce loan repayment and scholarship program. Expands the nurse retention grant program to authorize programs to implement nurse preceptorship and mentorship projects.