Spread the Word: Home Health “Virtual Capitol Hill Day”

On Thursday, July 22, 2010, nursing organizations representing nurse practitioners will join together in support of H.R. 4993 / S. 2814, the Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2010. On that day, hundreds of nurse practitioners from across the country will participate in a “Virtual Capitol Hill Day,” by contacting their members of Congress and asking them to cosponsor this important bill.

 

PLAN TO GET INVOLVED! By planning just a few minutes to take action, you can help us to have a tremendous impact. Just follow the 3 simple steps below. We have only a few days before Members of Congress return home for recess. WE MUST ACT NOW!

 

What is the Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2010?

H.R. 4993 / S. 2814, the Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2010, as introduced by Representative Allyson Schwartz in the House of Representatives and Senator Susan Collins in the Senate, recognizes and authorizes nurse practitioners as eligible health care professionals who can order home health services under Medicare, ensuring that Medicare patients requiring these services receive optimal continuity of care. Currently, nurse practitioners are not able to order home health care services despite the fact that nurse practitioners are authorized Medicare providers.

 

Plan to Take Action!

Step 1: Check the list of cosponsors at the end of this message. If your member of Congress is already a cosponsor of this bill, take a moment to say “thanks for being a leader on this important issue”. This campaign focuses on a very important issue – but it is only one of many issues that you may care about. Saying thanks is an easy way to let your members of Congress know that their efforts are appreciated and it may make them more inclined to help out in the future!

 

Step 2: Plan your message.

The easiest and most effective ways to reach your member of Congress are to call his/her Washington, DC office, or send an email through the AANP Advocacy Center. (See below). If you would prefer members of Congress have online email systems that you can access directly through their web pages

(found at www.house.gov & www.senate.gov respectively.)

You can also find the phone numbers for your members’ Washington, DC offices on their web sites. You can use the letter below as a guide for your email or phone conversation.