STOP NO-FAULT AUTO REFORM!

Governor Snyder and House Republican’s have proposed an auto no-fault reform package that will cap lifetime benefits at $1 million dollars for anyone catastrophically injured in a car accident. Nurses and health care professionals know that these critical care medical cases can require months of hospital care, home visit care after discharge, therapy sessions, and medical equipment. $1 million will be used up quickly before the patient is able to regain successful quality of life. Email your House legislators and tell them not to support the No-Fault Auto reform (HB 4612). Tell them we need to put patients before insurance company profits.

MICHIGAN NEEDS A SAFE STAFFING LAW NOW!

State Rep. Jon Switalski and State Sen. Rebekah Warren have introduced the Safe Patient Care Act in the House (HB 4311) and Senate (SB 228). This legislation requires hospitals to develop and implement a written staffing plan that includes nurse-to-patient ratios per unit. A comprehensive staffing law has saved lives and increased nurse retention in California, and it will work here. Contact your state legislator today to urge them to make Michigan a leader in putting patients over profits.

WORKPLACE SAFETY BILL INCREASES PENALTIES

People who assault nurses and other health care professionals while they are performing their duties will be subject to the same punishment as those who assault police officers and firefighters under the new workplace safety bill. Senate Bill 250 and Senate Bill 360 amend the Michigan Penal Code to include felony charges with prison time and fees on a graded level for assault, bodily injury, serious impairment of a body function and death. Send an email to your state Senator and tell them to support SB 250 and SB 360.

APRN BILL “Right to Write” (SB 2) IS ON THE MOVE!

The bill to amend the public health code so that Advanced Practice Registered Nurses will have prescriptive authority has moved out of the Committee on Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing and is on its way to the Senate! When passed, Michigan APRNs will have their scope of practice defined and be able to practice to the full extent of their education and certification.

APRNs provide quality health care in a variety of settings, especially improving access to care in rural and underserved areas. With more people having access to health care through the Affordable Care Act and a looming shortage of family practice physicians, APRNS are desperately needed to provide quality care for Michigan’s citizens. Support Senate Bill 2 by contacting your Senator today!

TYING THE HANDS OF MEDICINE: SB 136

SB 136, the “Religious Liberty and Conscience Protection Act,” will create serious problems for patients, health care providers and hospitals. If SB 136 passes, it will mean that care could be denied to a patient from any health care professional, hospital and medical office because of their belief system (including religious, moral or ethical guidelines, philosophy, constitution, bylaws, articles of incorporation, mission statement, or regulations).  SB 136 would also cover insurance companies, any university that has a medical teaching program, pharmacies; every aspect of medicine is covered. Send an email to your state Senator and tell them to STOP SB 136.