NYS Nurses Association
Nurses’ Toolkit for Healthcare Reform
New Challenges
On January 19, the House of Representatives passed a bill to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), by a near party line vote of 245 to 189. While unlikely that the Senate will consider repeal legislation or have the votes needed to override a Presidential veto, the vote was the beginning of a systematic attempt to roll back the PPACA's provisions, including:
- A new focus on patient-centered care.
- Recognition of the vital role nurses play in healthcare delivery.
- Emphasis on major investments in healthcare quality and nursing workforce development.
- Closing the Medicare donut-hole for seniors.
- Eliminating denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions.
- Allowing children to remain on their parent’s health insurance until they are 26 years old.
Following the signing of the healthcare reform legislation, numerous state's attorneys general filed a joint lawsuit in U.S. District Court contending the PPACA violates Articles I and IV of the Constitution and the Tenth Amendment. The following attachments offer information on this challenge (.pdf)
- State of the States: Legal Challenges to Health Reform, a Brief
- Talking Points: State Legal Challenges To Federal Health Reform
A recent poll conducted by the Washington Post and ABC News found that only 18 percent of Americans are now in favor of a full repeal of the PPACA and a 56 percent majority said the PPACA should have done more.
Visit the updated ANA Health Care Reform Headquarters and share why health care reform is important to you and your patients, learn more about reform implementation, and find the latest information about repeal efforts.
Introduction
Several provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), signed into law on March 23, went into effect September 23. NYSNA and the American Nurses Association (ANA) believe this law greatly increases access to care for millions of people, and that it will strengthen and improve the healthcare system for generations. Nurses are encouraged to explain these benefits to their patients, to assist them in optimizing their health and protecting their financial security.
NYSNA believes while this legislation is an enormous step towards reform of health insurance in America, much work remains to ensure affordable healthcare for everyone, and believes these efforts are best financed and achieved through a single payer system.
This toolkit is designed to assist nurses in educating themselves and others about healthcare reform in general, and the single-payer proposal in particular. Items are added to the toolkit as they become available, so check back often for updates and action opportunities. We’re pleased to get your feedback; e-mail us your comments today.
Reform Resources
- Kaiser Foundation PSA: Affordable Care Act Provisions
- The White House: Health Care Reform
- ANA: Top 10 Health Care Reform Provisions (.pdf; Adobe Reader required)
- American Nurses Association (ANA) launches ANA Take Action web site
- ANA Healthcare Reform Toolkit
- The White House blog on the new guidelines ensuring children with pre-existing conditions have access to care.
- HealthCare.gov, a comprehensive online consumer resource for accessing quality, affordable coverage
- State by state fact sheets on the immediate benefits of the PPACA
- U.S. Health and Human Services released a report on the cost of health care in each state; here's a profile on New York.
NYSNA, with support and assistance from the ANA, will continue to provide resources summarizing this new legislation. Education on what healthcare reform means for everyone is vital, and there is much misinformation being circulated.
Contents
- Brochure: “The New York State Nurses Association Supports a National Healthcare Plan”
- Slide Show: “Healing Our Broken Healthcare System” (Microsoft PowerPoint format; please note: large file size may cause extended download time.)
- Talking Points: “New York Nurses for a National Single-Payer Plan”
- Testimony Before State Legislature
- Text of HR676
- Text of New York Health Plus bill
- Online course for nurses on Universal Health Care ($12.50, 1.35 CH)
- Coalitions and partners in healthcare reform
- Action Opportunities (rallies, forums, etc.)
- Write your Congressmember!
Documents in .pdf format; Adobe Acrobat Reader required.