Priority Goals, 2011-2012

Strengthen patient-centered, high quality, cost-effective healthcare delivery

through inter-professional collaboration

• Support policies that enable nurses to be full partners with physicians and other health professionals in redesigning health care.
• Promote the inclusion of nurses on policymaking boards, executive management teams, and other key leadership positions.
• Advocate for reimbursement policies focused on services rather than on the provider of services.
• Support legislation and policies that facilitate the implementation of best practices and/or evidence-based practice.
• Support the Healthcare Workforce Data Center.

Enhance access to health care

• Advocate for health care that is timely, effective, safe, patient-centered, efficient, and equitable.
• Support legislation to enable all nurses to practice in accordance with their education, training, and board certification.
• Support initiatives designed to assure an adequate supply of nurses.
• Support initiatives that would increase K-12 students’ access to Registered Nurses.
• Support access to and reimbursement parity for behavioral health and addiction recovery services.
• Advocate for adequate Medicaid reimbursement for practitioners, community-based programs, medical facilities, and long-term care services.
• Support legislative initiatives that will increase access to affordable, comprehensive health insurance consistent with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requirements for health insurance exchanges.

Advance public health and safety

• Advocate for safe and healthy work environments for healthcare providers.
• Monitor legislation and regulations that promote public safety in the licensure and regulatory processes for all health professions.
• Monitor legislation regarding the utilization of unlicensed personnel.
• Advocate for safe and healthy communities.
• Support disaster preparation and mitigation programs and activities.
• Support funding for wellness promotion and disease prevention programs and immunizations.
• Support child safety issues, including those related to consumer products, vehicle safety, and firearms.
• Support highway safety including opposition of the repeal of motorcycle helmet laws and support for primary seat belt and open-container legislation.

Encourage lifelong learning to assure a competent nursing workforce

• Support policies that promote seamless educational progression.
• Support policies that embrace lifelong learning.

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