Legislative Update
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MNA Legislative Update 03-16-12
03.16.2012
Annual Michigan Nurses MARCH! Event Generates Attention
This Wednesday, March 14th, MNA hosted their annual Nurses MARCH! event in downtown Lansing. Hundreds of nurses and nursing students listened attentively to presentations on the power of nursing, public policy and getting politically active before marching down to the State Capitol on a beautifully sunny spring day. Rally speakers included a well-balanced mixture of nurses and legislators, as well as Secretary-Treasurer Daryl Newman from the Michigan AFL-CIO. Each speaker shared an important story or perspective on how important nursing is and how it is imperative that we all work together to do what we can to promote and protect the profession now and into the future. It was particularly exciting to be able to share with the public that there are now three pieces of legislation in the legislative process related to nursing. SB 642 and SB 643, bills to prevent increased violence toward health care professionals, as well as HB 5426 and SB 1019, bills to implement safe nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals across Michigan to improve safe patient care. The event was exciting, well-attended and generated media attention across the mid-Michigan media market. Thank you to all attendees for taking the time to promote and move forward America’s most trusted profession!
Senate OKs Mandated Autism Coverage
Legislation mandating that insurance companies cover the cost of treatment for autism won approval in the Senate on Tuesday, March 13th. In addition to passing SB 414, the Senate also voted on SB 415 and SB 981, which sets up a fund to reimburse insurers for the cost of providing the coverage. This is a monumental step for children touched by autism and will help thousands of families who deal with the side effects of the condition. MNA has long supported efforts to ensure that those with autism receive the treatment that they need. Call your state representative today and ask him or her to SUPPORT this progressive and much-needed legislation.
Office of Regulatory Reinvention Proposes Massive Changes to MIOSHA
A committee that was appointed by Governor Snyder to review the state's workplace safety rules is recommending the elimination of more than 600 requirements enforced by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Among the proposed changes is the elimination of the Construction Safety, General Industry, and Occupational Health Standards commissions. The proposals still have to go through the formal rulemaking process.Some of the changes will weaken Michigan ability to protect the health and safety of workers on the job. We will have additional information on this important issue in future editions of the Update.
A Message from the American Lung Association
On March 8th, 2012, the U.S. Senate considered an amendment to the transportation bill that, if passed, would have forced the Environmental Protection Agency to rewrite a rule requiring boiler operators to install modern emissions controls. Boilers are the second-largest source of toxic mercury emissions after coal-fired power plants. Thanks to Senator Levin, and other senators who voted to protect your health and not the bottom line of corporate polluters, the amendment failed. Please click on the link below to thank Senator Levin for his unwavering support for public health. Amid strong lobbying from the corporate world, Senator Levin remained a champion for the people. He deserves our sincere thanks.
International Women’s Show ~ May 3rd– May 6th, 2012 ~ Novi
Following our Nurses March event this month, we will be gearing up to participate in all four days of the International Women’s Show at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. Please note that the location might still be known to some of you as the Rock Financial Showplace. MNA will be sponsoring a booth this year and we are still looking for volunteers! Please email Mariam Robinson at mariam.robinson@minurses.org to sign up to volunteer for one of the available shifts. Please be aware that some shifts have already been spoken for, but that some are still wide open. We’d like to say a big thank you to all the UMPNC and PECSH volunteers who have already signed up for several shifts! MNA will also be offering a CE workshop in conjunction with the Women's Show on the mornings of May 3rd and 4th. Edie Brous, RN, BSN, MS, MPH, JD, will be talking about nursing liability and the legal aspects of social media. Click here to get more information and to register online.
Collecting Signatures for the Collective Bargaining Constitutional Amendment
Please contact Julia Smith-Heck at julia.heck@minurses.org if you are interested in helping MNA gather signatures for the constitutional amendment to protect your collective bargaining rights. We have a lot of gathering to do in a short period of time, so everyone’s efforts are needed and appreciated!
