ONS Connect - January 2008 - (Page 19)

CApiTOlCONNECTiON 2007 ONS Health Policy Program Produced Results [By Ilisa Halpern Paul, MPP, ONS Health Policy Associate] ONS’s success in health policy depends on the active involvement of ONS members. O NS members worked hard in 2007 to advance the Society’s health policy agenda. The focus was on securing federal funding, policy, and programs that work to bolster the nation’s nursing workforce; advance and ensure access to quality, comprehensive cancer care; and promote and prioritize tobacco cessation. In 2007, the Society • Partnered with numerous coalitions and organizations in the cancer and nursing communities, including the National Coalition for Cancer Research, the Health Professions Nursing Education Coalition, One Voice Against Cancer, and Americans for Nursing Shortage relief to secure increased federal funding to support the nursing workforce and for cancer research, prevention, awareness, and control programs • Submitted written testimony to the President’s Cancer Panel about ways to reduce cancer risk. The panel adopted many of ONS’s recommendations, including urging that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) be given the authority to regulate tobacco and called for the ratification of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control • Provided input related to cancer care coordination by nurses that Senators Feinstein and Brownback included in their National Cancer Act of 2007 • Collaborated with coalition partners to overturn a proposal by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that would have restricted the types of clinical trials deemed eligible for reimbursement by Medicare • Secured numerous statements in the congressional record commending the work of ONS and its members and recognizing May as Oncology Nursing Month • Galvanized more than 30 ONS chapters in more than 20 states to sign on to a letter organized by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids supporting FDA regulation of tobacco; the letter helped illustrate to key policymakers that their constituents want them to support the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2007. • Held regular meetings between ONS leadership and elected officials and staff on Capitol Hill to educate them about oncology nursing and the needs of people with cancer. ONS members—through ONStat, the ONS electronic grassroots advocacy network—sent thousands of e-mails and made hundreds of phone calls to Capitol Hill regarding issues such as nursing workforce funding, Medicare coverage of clinical trials, genetic discrimination, and tobacco regulation. The result has been additional cosponsors on legisla- Ilisa Halpern Paul, MPP tion and members of Congress advocating for nursing and cancer issues with their colleagues and federal agencies, articulating ONS’s position and priorities. plans for 2008 Health policy activities that are expected to carry over in 2008 include seeking adequate Medicare reimbursement for oncology nursing services; opposing efforts to reduce or restrict reimbursement for cancer and supportive care; advocating increased funding for cancer research and nursing workforce programs; and advancing efforts to increase the number of nursing faculty. ONS’s success in health policy depends on the active involvement of ONS members. Many thanks to everyone who helped make 2007 a success! To learn more about or to support ONS’s health policy priorities in 2008, visit www.ons lac.org. ✱ JANUARY 2008 ONS CONNECT 19 http://www.onslac.org http://www.onslac.org

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ONS Connect - January 2008 Contents Editor's Note Just In Up Front You Tell Us Up Close & Professional Web Connect Capitol Connection Notice Nursing Now Caregiver Care Five Minute In-Service New Treatments, New Hope Calendar of Events ONS Election Working For You Staying On Top

ONS Connect - January 2008

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