March 7, 2008 |
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CONVERSO ELECTED TO AFL-CIO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
400 AND COUNTING TO ATTEND MICHIGAN NURSES MARCH!
NEWMAN TO SPEAK ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND CHILDREN
WHY USE ANTIVIRAL MEDS?
TAX INFORMATION
MENTAL HEALTH PARITY BILL PASSES THE HOUSE
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CONVERSO ELECTED TO AFL-CIO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
NurseLine is pleased to announce that Ann Converso, RN, president of the United American Nurses (UAN) has been elected to serve on the AFL-CIO Executive Council. The Council is a key decision-maker for the AFL-CIO. For more on Ann and the Executive Council, click here.
400 AND COUNTING TO ATTEND MICHIGAN NURSES MARCH!
Over 400 nurses and nursing students have registered to attend the Michigan Nurses MARCH! on March 12, 2008. Watch for the March 14 issue of NurseLine for the latest news from the MARCH! A full report will be in the March/April Michigan Nurse, including helpful information on how to make your voice heard in your legislative district.
NEWMAN TO SPEAK ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND CHILDREN
You are cordially invited to attend a talk by Dr. Nicholas Newman of the MI American Academy of Pediatrics on the evening of Thursday, April 3, in Midland, Michigan. This is part of a 3-day conference organized by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Michigan Chapter). Dr. Newman will speak on environmental links to health effects in children. For more information and a registration form, click here.
WHY USE ANTIVIRAL MEDS?
Recent surveillance data indicate that many communities are reporting substantially increased influenza activity. The CDC is re-emphasizing the importance of considering antiviral medications for use in the treatment or prevention of influenza. The two prescription antiviral medications recommended for treatment or prevention of influenza include oseltamivir (Tamiflu®, Roche Laboratories, Nutley, NJ) or zanamivir (Relenza®, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC). These antiviral medications are also known as neuraminidase inhibitors. Recent studies suggest a considerable protective effect against complications associated with influenza when neuraminidase inhibitors are used for treatment. These benefits include reducing the risk of death among older adults hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza. Because high levels of resistance to adamantane antiviral medications (rimantadine and amantadine) continue to be observed among circulating influenza A viruses, adamantanes are not recommended for treatment or prevention of influenza.
TAX INFORMATION
The amount of a MNA member's dues that may be taken as a tax deduction is always reduced by the lobbying expenses of ANA and MNA. Therefore, for members' 2007 dues, the percentage that may be deductible on a member's tax form is 71.61 % of their total dues paid.
MENTAL HEALTH PARITY BILL PASSES THE HOUSE
The Paul Wellstone Mental Health & Addiction Equity Act (H.R. 1424) passed the House of Representatives this week. Since the Senate passed its version of this bill (S 558) in 2007, the next step is to produce a compromise bill that can given to the President. |
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