Making our voices heard in Washington, DC

MARCH 2003, VOL 77, NO 3 I I K . \ I . I II P O I . l ( . Y I S h l l E : J i

Making our voices heard in Washington, DC

T

here are many ways in which perioperative nurses can make issues and concerns a priority for federal legislators. These include becoming more knowledgeable about and involved in the legislative process through the Nurse in Washington Internship (NIWI) program; attending the 2003 AORN Federal Affairs Conference and Lobby Day in Washington, DC; making nursing’s priorities known to the media; and serving on AORN’s Legislative Committee. NURSE IN WASHINGTON INTERNSHIP The NIWI program is sponsored by the Nursing Organizations Alliance, a coalition of specialty nursing associations of which AORN is a member. The NIWI program was developed to prepare nurses to become more involved in the federal legislative process. Each year, the program provides information on current health policy initiatives, public policy development, and federal budgetary and finding issues. Participants learn how they can influence the legislative process as individuals and as nurses. An important and exciting aspect of NIWI is the opportunity to meet with elected officials in the US Congress and lobby them regarding nursing concerns. In February 1998, the AORN Board of Directors approved a recommendation from the Legislative Committee to award annual scholarships for the NIWI pro-

gram to two AORN members who have demonstrated a high level of interest in legislative activities and personal commitment to becoming leaders for public policy and advocacy at AORN. The scholarship pays the program registration fee, travel, lodging, and meal expenses in Washington, DC. Award recipients are selected by the Legislative Committee chair and cochairs in November. All AORN members who are not previous NIWI award recipients are eligible. This year, NIWI takes place March 2 to 5. The recipients of the 2003 scholarships are Terri Aldama, RN, CNOR, CRNFA, of Glendale, Ariz, and Becky Churchman-Winn, RN, CNOR, CRNFA, of Houston. The winners were notified of the award and congratulated by the AORN Board of Directors during a telephone call from AORN President Donna Watson, RN, MSN, CNOR, ARNP, FNP-C, in December 2002. AORN Board of Directors member Nathalie Walker, a recipient of last year’s NIWI award, shares the following comments on the event. As a recipient of the NIWI scholarship, I attended this dynamic and informative program in Washington, DC, in March 2002. It is a four-day, intense educational program, and it cannot be compared to any other program that I have 675 AORN JOURNAL

experienced. The program included guest speakers well known to the health care community andfaculty that consisted of experts who practice in the legislative arena. During the week we went to Capitol Hill for a white House briefing and visits with our elected oficials in the US Senate and House of Representatives. We discussed our issues and concerns regarding health care and our specific practice areas as professional registered nurses. One of the highlights of the program was a networking reception and dinnez AORNpast President Trish Seifert welcomed everyone to the dinner and introduced our speakel: Colleen Conway-Welch, dean of the Vanderbilt UniversitySchool of Nursing, who gave a presentation on disaster preparedness and what nurses are doing to ensure a safe Jirture. The Nurse in Washington Internship has reafirmed my belief that everyone has a voice and that one person can make a diference. It k timefor all nurses tofocus more on legislative issues, notjust our daily work. Collectively we will have a major impact on society, and together we can make the public stand up and

MARCH 2003, VOL 7 7 , NO 3

GOVERNMENT AFIWRS TOOLBOX New US Congress members

Members of the 108th US Congress took office on Jan 7,2003. Communicating with members of Congress is a significant part of promoting AORNs legislative priorities, and contacting new members of Congress can be especially important in achieving this goal.

There are 11 new members in the US Senate and 54 new members in the US House of Representatives. Here is a state-by-state summary of the new Congress members and their contact telephone numbers in Washington, DC.

Alabama

Rep Katherine Harris (R-13th) Rep Kendrick Meek (D- 17th) Rep Tom Feeney (R-24th) Rep Mario Diaz-Baiart (R-25th)

Rep Jo Bonner (R- 1st) Rep Michael Rogers (R3rd) Rep Atlur Davis (D-7th)

(202) 225-4931 (202) 225-3261 (202) 225-2665

dlnshp Sen Lisa Murkowski (R)

(202) 224-6665

MzQnQ Rep Rick Renzi (R-1 st) Rep Trent Franks (R-2nd) Rep Ruul Grijalvo (D-7th)

(202) 225-2315 (202) 225-4576 (202) 225-2435

ArkPnsas Sen Mark Pryor (D)

(202) 224-2353

Calllomla Rep Dennis Cardoza (D-18th) Rep Devin Nunes (R-2 1st) Rep Linda S6nchez (D-3Sm)

(202) 225-6131 (202) 225-2523 (202) 225-6676

Rep Marilyn Musgrave (R-4th) Rep Bob Beauprez (R-7th)

(202) 225-4676 (202) 225-2645

€k&& Rep Virginia Brown-Waite (R-5th)

take notice. We certainly cannot solve the nursing shortage or other pertinent issues alone. However; by drawing on the collective wisdom and experience of the NIWI attendees, we can help point the way to some means of solution. 1thank you for entrusting me to attend NIWI as the scholarship recipient of AORN last year‘ Applications for the 2004 NIWI program will be available in July

225-5015 225-4506 225-2706 225-2778

(202) (202) (202) (202) (202) (202)

224-352 1 225-6531 225-1605 225-2931 225-2823 225-2939

Oeomlo

Sen Saxby Chambliss (R) Rep James Marshall (D-3rd) Rep Denise Majelte (D-4th) Rep Phil Gingrey (R-1 lth) Rep Max Burns (R-12th) Rep David Scott (D-13th)

LLpyrall

Rep Ed Case (D-2nd)

(202) 225-4906

llllonla Rep Rahm Emanuel (D-5th)

(202) 225-4061

lnQloon Rep Chris Chccola (R-2nd)

Ia2lQrm

(202) (202) (202) (202)

m

Rep Steve King (R-5th)

(202) 225-3915 (202) 225-4426

Louislcmp

(202) 225-1002

Rep Rodney Alexander (D-5th)

2003. For more information, contact Government Affairs department staff members Burke Beu at (800) 755-2676 x 233 or Fred Franko at x 289. FOCUS FOR LOBBY DAY All AORN members can advocate for A 0 R ” s legislative priorities and speak with members of Congress about perioperative nursing during the 2003 AORN Federal Affairs Conference and Lobby Day, scheduled for May 5 and 6, in Washington, DC. Informational brochures and reg676 AORN JOURNAL

(202) 225-8490

istration forms have been mailed to chapter presidents and will be distributed by the Government Affairs department in the Resource Center at A 0 R ” s annual Congress in Chicago. Lobby Day education sessions will focus on new federal legislation pertinent to AORN, such as patient safety bills, nursing shortage proposals, and reimbursement issues. AORN participants from the NIWI program will present an education session on memberdriven advocacy. Government Affairs staff

MARCH 2003, VOL 77, NO 3

GOVERNMENT AFIWRS TOOLBOX (CONTINUED)

b w M Rep Michael Michaud (D-2nd)

Manrland

(202) 225-6306 (202) 225-3061 (202) 225-5341

Mlchipan Rep Candice Miller (R- loth) Rep Thaddeus McCotter (R- 1 1th)

(202) 225-2 106 (202) 225-817 1

-

(202) 224-564 1 (202) 225-227 1

Mlssourl

(202) 224-6154

Sen John Sununu (R) Rep Jeb Bradley (R-1 st)

MuQmY

Sen Frank Lautenberg (0) Rep Scott Garrett (R-5th)

(202) 225-3252

m

(202) 224-2841 (202) 225-5456 (202) 224-3224 (202) 225-4465 (202) 225-2365

Rep Timothy Bishop (D-1st)

(202) 225-3826

4QQmdlM Sen Elizabeth Dale (R)

(202) 224-6342

members are reviewing bills recently introduced in Congress for consideration of AORN’s support. AORN continues to cooperate with other specialty nursing organizations in seeking congressional appropriations for the Nurse Reinvestment Act. The current funding goal is $250 million.2 Additionally, Rep Mac Collins (R-Ga) plans to reintroduce the Medicare Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant Direct Reimbursement Act in conjunction with a corresponding report on Medicare reimbursement for

(202) 225-6465 (202) 225-5261 (202) 225-6165

Pennsvlvonia

Rep Jim M a c h (R-6ih) Rep Timothy Murphy (R-lm)

slumaam

Sen Lindsey Graham (R) Rep Gresham Banett (R-3rd) Rep William Janklow (R-at large)

(202) 225-4315 (202) 225-2301 (202) 224-5972 (202) 225-5301 (202) 225-2801

Tennessee

!kkkd!X Rep Stevan Pearce (R-2nd)

Rep Tom Cole (R-4th)

slwmlmm

Nevade

Rep Jon Porter (R-3rd)

Rep Michael Turner (R-3rd) Rep Timothy Ryan (D-17th)

OMahoma

Minnesota

Sen Jim Talent (R)

(202) 225-3101 (202) 225-3032

phln

Rep Dutch Ruppersberger (D-2nd) Rep Christopher Van Hollen (D-8th)

Sen Norm Coleman (R) Rep John Kline (R-2nd)

Rep Frank Ballance, Jr (D-1st) Rep Brad Miller (D-13th)

Sen Lamar Alexander (R) Rep Lincoln Davis (D-4th) Rep Jim Cooper (D5th) Rep Marsha Blackbum (R-7th)

nxaa

Sen John Comyn (R) Rep Jeb Hensarling (R-5th) R@ Chris Bell (D-25th) Rep Michael Burgess (R-26th) Rep John Carter (R-31 st)

m

Rep Rob Bishop (R-1st)

first assisting clinicians from the US General Accounting Ofice. A companion bill is sought in the US Senate, and several senators have been identified as potential sponsors. MEDIA RELATIONS AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Media relations is increasingly important to strategies for successful government affairs programs. Janet Paulson, AORN’s public relations manager, notes

Communicationplays a key 677 AORN JOURNAL

(202) (202) (202) (202)

224-4944 225-6831 225-431 1 225-281 1

(202) (202) (202) (202) (202)

224-2934 226-3484 225-7508 225-7772 225-3864

(202) 225-0453

role by making elected 08cials, policy makers, and the general public aware of issues and information that affect nurses. Connecting with local media to generate interest in nurses’stories and perioperative issues can be an effective way ofpromoting legislative goals. AORN’s Media Relations Manual is available from AORN Online at http://www.aom.org /Press/mediamanual.htm. This is

MARCH 2003, VOL 77, NO 3

an excellent tool for members of the legislative grassroots network and others.

L EGlSLATlVE COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP AORN’s Legislative Committee provides direction for AORN on legislative concerns and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding revisions to AORN’s legislative priorities. The three committee leaders are supported by state coordinators in each state. A list of state coordinators for 2003-2004 will be published in a future edi-

tion of the Journal. The Legislative Committee welcomes a new chair and two new cochairs at the conclusion of the AORN Congress this month. Joan Butera, RN, CNOR, CRNFA, of Tucson will serve as the 2003-2004 committee chair. She was one of the committee’s cochairs in 2002-2003, and she has been active in AORN’s legislative efforts for many years. The committee’s new cochairs are Diana K. Sullivan, RN, MSN, CNOR, of Indianapolis and Colette Garton, RN, BSN, CNOR, of Omaha.

NOTES 1. N Walker, personal communication with the author, Metairie, La, 3 1 Dec 2002. 2. K Sealander, personal communication with author,

Janelle Coates, RN, of Boise, Idaho, a committee cochair in 2002-2003, will become state coordinator in Idaho. The 20022003 committee chair, Melody Mena, RN, CNOR, of Atlanta, also plans to stay active in her state where she has been a key contact for legislators and a sought-after speaker for various nursing workshops. The Legislative Committee is grateful to both of these dynamic perioperative nurses for their dedication and service. BURKE BEU LEQISUTIVE

ANALYST

Washington, DC, 2 Jan 2003. 3. J Paulson, personal communication with author, Denver, 9 Jan 2003.

Report on Assisted Reproductive Technology Released According to a Dec 20,2002, news release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 35,000 babies were born as a result of assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures performed in the year 2000. These procedures include infertility treatments in which both the egg and sperm are handled in a laboratory. The most popular ART procedure is in vitro fertilization. The CDC’s sixth annual report on ART summarizes national trends and provides information from 383 facilities throughout the United States. Approximately one in four ART procedures performed in 2000 (25.4%) resulted in the birth of a baby for women who used their own eggs; this represents a slight increase from 1999 (25.2%). Clinics’ success rates are provided in the report to assist consumers in making informed decisions about ART. Each clinic’s information is presented in a one-page format and should be considered by couples because using ART can be a long, expensive process. In addition to a clinic’s skill, other factors to consider include the cause of infertility and the woman’s age. Decisions regarding the use of ART should be made in consultation with a physician. The age of the woman is one of the most impor-

tant factors in determining whether she will have a live birth using her own eggs, according to the report. Success rates are high for women in their twenties and early thirties but begin to decline in the mid-thirties. Of the ART procedures started in women younger than age 35 in 2000,33% resulted in live births. This percentage decreased to 27% for women ages 35 to 37, 18% for women ages 38 to 40, 10% for women ages 4 1 to 42, and 4% for women older than 42 years of age. The report also states that 35% of all ART deliveries were multiple births. This high percentage occurs because multiple embryos often are used in ART to increase the likelihood of a live pregnancy. In comparison, multiple births occur in less than 3% of the general population. Multiple births pose greater risks to babies, including prematurity, low birth weight, neonatal death, and lifelong disability. Risks for the mother include cesarean section and hemorrhage. CDC Releases ’2000 Assisted Reproductive Technology Report‘ (news release, Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dec 20, 2002) http:/W.cdc.gov/ocVrn /rnedidpressreU~2 1220.hlm (accessed 29 Dec 2002). 678

AORN JOURNAL