Popular Articles

State Psychiatric Technicians Ask Californians To 'Support Our Services'
The California Association of Psychiatric Technicians will begin informational pickets next Wednesday at state hospitals, developmental centers and prisons, drawing attention to ongoing cuts that are not only hurting employees, but also the vital services Psych Techs provide to Californians in their care.

Bingaman, Wyden Among Key Health Reform Lawmakers In The News
Newspapers highlight a few of the key congressional players in the health care debate.
News of the day
DOD, VA, Congress Should Take Stronger Steps Toward Eliminating Tobacco Use In Military Populations, VA Medical Centers
Because tobacco use impairs military readiness, harms the health of soldiers and veterans, and imposes a substantial financial burden on the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, these agencies should implement a comprehensive strategy to achieve the Defense Department"s stated goal of a tobacco-free military, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine. DOD should gradually phase in a ban on tobacco use in the military, starting at military academies and officer training programs and among new recruits, the report says. DOD should also stop selling tobacco products in Army and Air Force commissaries -- Navy and Marine Corps commissaries already do not sell them -- and should stop selling them at a discount in military exchanges and other stores. In addition, Congress should allow VA to establish tobacco-free medical centers.
Sexual Health

National Association Of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Supports The Preserving Patient Access To Primary Care Act

The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) praises Representative Allyson Schwartz and nearly 100 cosponsors of The Preserving Patient Access to Primary Care Act for their leadership in health care reform. This legislation, which will increase the number of primary care providers and improve patient access to primary care services, is a critical step if we truly are to reform our health care delivery system. Our nation needs leaders like Representative Schwartz to affect real and lasting change in our health care system. We know that policy makers face many challenges in their efforts to compose a comprehensive health reform proposal. True change will require balancing the need to increase access to care for all, stabilizing provider reimbursement and ensuring we do not stifle technological advancements all while driving out of control health care costs and improving quality. Though it is difficult to say that any one of these areas is more worthy of focus than the others, none of them can be achieved if there are not enough primary health care providers who are willing and available to treat patients in every community across the country. Unless we have providers focused on preventative care and comprehensive care of chronic illness we will not realize improved patient outcomes and financial savings. Representative Schwartz"s bill addresses just this is! sue. NAPNAP president Linda Lindeke said, "Health care reform can only be a reality if we utilize all of our res. The Preserving Patient Access to Primary Care Act provides patients" access to more than 125,000 nurse practitioners in ways that have not been possible in the past. Nurse practitioners" advanced preparation in primary care practice and focus on comprehensive patient care makes them particularly well-qualified to lead the medical home and other care coordination models and in the delivery of primary care services to patients across the country." She added, "Today we celebrate Representative Schwartz and her colleagues who have joined in an effort to ensure that we all have access to primary care. We call upon providers, insurers, patients and individuals across the health care industry to stand with them in their fight for patients" access to primary care." The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners


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