AANA Federal Government Affairs

AANA Federal Government Affairs
HOTLINE
Number 2004-25, Week of Monday, October 11, 2004

In This Issue:

* House Approves Extension of Health Benefits for Reservists
* JCAHO Recommends Steps to Prevent "Anesthesia Awareness"
* President Maziarski Submits Comments on the Outpatient Perspective Payment System
* CRNAs Call Capitol Hill Urging Passage of Patient Safety Legislation
* Amendments

>> House Approves Extension of Health Benefits for Reservists

The House on Thursday (October 7th) by voice vote approved the Servicemembers Legal Protection Act of 2004 (HR 4658) that in part would extend from 18 to 24 months the period of time CRNA and other reservists can choose to keep their employer-sponsored health coverage under the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Act of 1994 (PL 103-353). The bill also was amended to delete a provision that would have provided post-natal care for newborns of female veterans without other health insurance and who are being treated at a Veterans Administration (VA) hospital (CQ Today, 10/7). The extension "reflects the longer periods of active duty being required of National Guard and reserve members" (Washington Post, 10/8).

To view the bill, http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c108:h.r.4658

For more info, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16597-2004Oct7.html

>> JCAHO Recommends Steps to Prevent "Anesthesia Awareness"

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) on Wednesday (October 6th) asked hospitals to take additional steps to prevent "anesthesia awareness," instances in which patients regain consciousness during surgery (USA Today, 10/6). In conjunction with the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), JCAHO asked surgeons to "be more diligent in the operating room" or use brain monitors on patients to prevent anesthesia awareness incidents, as well. JCAHO President Dennis O'Leary said that patients at risk of waking from anesthesia should be warned and that all general anesthesia patients should be monitored and asked about their awareness during surgery (Houston Chronicle, 10/5). JCAHO sent the recommendation to the 4,579 hospitals nationwide that it accredits.

For more info, http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004-10-06-waking-up_x.htm

Also see, http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/2832705

>> President Maziarski Submits Comments on the Outpatient Perspective Payment System

Recognizing the inadequacy of the current Medicare payment system, on Friday (October 8th), AANA President Frank Maziarski, CRNA, MS, CLNC submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the Outpatient Prospective Payment System for calendar year 2005 (69 Fed Reg. 50447, August 16, 2004). President Maziarski reiterated that Medicare payments should be adjusted to accurately reflect current cost of providing healthcare services.

>> CRNAs Call Capitol Hill Urging Passage of Patient Safety Legislation

As part of an AANA Grassroots Campaign, CRNAs called Capitol Hill the week of Oct. 4 to urge Congress to take action on the Patient Safety legislation (HR 663 / S 720) that has passed both the House and the Senate in similar but distinct forms.

Unfortunately, Congress adjourned until after the election without having completed work on the bills. Legislators intend to return to Washington for a "lame duck" session around the 15th of November. If the House and Senate are able to work out their differences on the bill we may see action on the Patient Safety legislation before Congress adjourns for the year.

>> Amendments

* The Senate is in session this week, and will be considering the Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) bill (HR 4520). The House is not in session this week, but will reconvene on November 15th for five days to consider some of the many appropriations bills.

* The final Presidential Debate will be Wednesday (October 13th) at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. The final Presidential will focus primarily on domestic policy.

* For up-to-date Congressional floor & committee schedule information, see http://thomas.loc.gov/.

>> For More Information

The AANA Federal Government Affairs Hotline is published for the nurse anesthetist members of AANA each week Congress is in session by the AANA Office of Federal Government Affairs, Washington DC, 202-484-8400, info@aanadc.com, Frank Purcell, Director.

(posted 10-14-2004)