For anyone experiencing issues with the link to contact your legislators, please use this link: http://capwiz.com/state-al/home/

SESSION BEGAN MARCH 5, 2019.

THESE URGENT ISSUES NEED YOUR SUPPORT NOW!

See instructions for how to contact your legislators after the issues list along with more downloadable resources you can use.

ASSAULTING A NURSE IN A CLINICAL SETTING

ASNA has drafted a Joint Resolution for the Alabama House and Senate stating that providers should display a poster in clinical waiting areas with a warning that it is a FELONY to attack a nurse. Representative April Weaver is sponsoring the resolution. PLEASE EMAIL HER NOW!

MAKE ALABAMA A COMPACT STATE – HB44 

ASNA is promoting this bill to make Alabama an ENHANCED LICENSURE COMPACT STATE. This means there will be a CHOICE to pay the same fee for Ala-only license and a larger fee for an ELC license. Alabama is the only state in the southeast currently NOT in the compact. NOW is the time to contact your legislators and fight for this right!

FULL PRACTICE AUTHORITY FOR APRNs

ASNA has taken the lead in establishing an APRN Steering Committee to develop a strategy to ultimately promote a bill that will grant full practice authority to APRNs. The process may take a year or more. The Steering Committee will establish a Working Group inclusive of many stakeholders such as; The Alabama Hospital Association, The Alabama Department of Public Health, Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Alabama Rural Health initiative and of course, APRN organizations.

Supporting MEDICAL VOLUNTEER TRANSPORTATION limited liability protection legislation

HOSPICE AND HOME HEALTH NURSES

Set up a joint meeting of representatives from the Pharmacy Board and the ABN to clarify/interpret the exemption for public health nurses to be extended to hospice and home health nurses regarding the medication re-packing law. Ala Code 34-23-1(24) is now interpreted to mean that nurses cannot remove medication from prescription bottles and place them in other distribution (M,T,W,TH,F,S,SU) containers.

RURAL HEALTH

Some estimate that 12 to 16 Alabama rural hospitals will have to close in 2019. ASNA has worked with the Alabama Hospital Association and other stakeholders to promote FUNDING and access to care for Alabama’s rural areas.

SUPPORTING ALABAMA BOARD OF NURSING BILLS:

·     APRN loan repayment scholarships HB45, to practice in underserved areas – adding that grads with 5 yrs. can qualify for assistance. (Existing bill is only for people in school who will pre-commit to rural areas)

·     ABN immunity language strengthened

·     Investigators given law enforcement authority 

EDUCATING NEW LEGISLATORS ABOUT NURSE ISSUES AND NURSE POWER

Alabama has the following NEW LEGISLATORS. Introduce yourself (at a minimum through email) particularly to legislators from your district. They will WELCOME YOUR INPUT! Really…They can’t be experts about everything and they highly value your professional opinion.

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR:

1. Visit http://capwiz.com/state-al/home

2. Enter your street address and select the “Go” button.

3. On the right side of the screen, the names of your State Senator and State Representative will appear below the name of Governor Ivey. Choose either the Senator or Representative.

4. On the legislator’s page, there is a tab labeled “Contact.” Select this tab and click the link to contact the legislator by email.

5. Fill out the form, including your message, and select “Send Message.”

6. Repeat the process for your other state legislator.