Pennsylvania Nurse, Front Page 71(4) | Page 5

Happenings on the Hill Kevin J. Busher, Director of Government Affairs, [email protected], @panurses We have much to be proud of as we close the chapter on the two-year session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. PSNA has worked to promote the profession of nursing to key decision makers in Harrisburg. PSNA is proud that HB 389, CNO of the Commonwealth, passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 187-6. HB 389 was referred to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. HB 479, Nurse Delegation, unanimously passed the House Health Committee. HB 479 has not come up for a vote before the House of Representatives. PSNA was successful in amending changes to HB 1329, CARE Act (The Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable Act). HB 1329 requires that a caregiver be designated by the family of a person in a hospital or rehabilitation facility and educated by staff in those facilities. PSNA was also successful in advocating for language changes to the diabetes administration in schools bill. The language changes promoted by PSNA protect the registered nurse from potential liability; it changes language from “shall” to “may.” In June 2015, the Joint State Government Commission issued a report which was based on a House Resolution sponsored by Rep. Gingrich (R-101) and authored by PSNA. These are just a small snapshot of the two year session that will soon conclude. PSNA is preparing for the November elections where we will see new and returning faces in the hallways of your State Capitol. As a reminder PSNA-PAC does not endorse in national or statewide races. These include: presidential, U.S. senator, congress, or the state auditor general, attorney general, or treasurer. PSNA-PAC has endorsed in House and Senate campaigns. For a complete listing of endorsements, visit the PSNA Nurse Insider member’s page. PSNA-PAC has a successful track record with our candidates winning in more than 90% of the races in the last three elections. This ensures that Harrisburg policymakers “Can Hear You Membership Update: Bylaws This year, PSNA does not have Bylaws updates for review. Fall 2016 Pennsylvania Nurse 3