February 5, 2019

Last week was very successful for AzNA!

What Happened?

We had a well attended & enthusiastic RN Day at the Capitol and made progress on two of our primary bills; SB1096 appropriating funding for the Healthcare Workers Workforce Database passed unanimously out of Senate Health & Human Services Committee and HB2068, giving Clinical Nurse Specialists prescriptive authority, passed unanimously out of House Health and Human Services Committee (despite opposition from a few doctor-related associations!).

Tell Me More About the CNS Bill

January 31st, HB2068 clinical nurse specialists; prescribing authority; was heard in the House Committee of Health and Human Services. You can watch the hearing on Capitol TV, The hearing is about 60 minutes long and worth watching.

During testimony, Kathy Busby, AzNA Lobbyist. Denise Gibson, RN, CNS, AzNA Governmental Affairs Director, and Heather Ross, RN, NP provided stellar support for the bill. The lobbyist for the doctors and osteopaths spoke against the bill, however this testimony did not deter all 9 of the legislators on the committee from all voting yes.

We will continue to work with the doctors to bring them to a level of comfort with their concerns.

Great News! What's Next for the CNS bill?

The bill will move to the next House committee (Rules), then to full house for approval. (Confused on how this all works? This is a great time to review how a bill becomes a law in Arizona.) We are optimistic that the bill will keep moving and may ask your assistance in contacting your legislators again for the full house vote, and then again when it moves onto the senate.

Everyone Loves a Strong Database

Last week, SB1096 health professionals data; repository; appropriation; passed unanimously out of the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Committee and is now on it's way to the Senate Rules Committee. SB1096 appropriates $50,000 to the Department of Health Services (DHS) to establish and maintain the Health Care Professionals Workforce Data Repository.

Why Is This Important?

Arizona lacks a comprehensive system to project the future of the nursing shortage. Proper data collection assures a strong and sustainable supply. Last year, AzNA was integral in the passing of 2018's HB2197 health professionals; workforce data; which laid the groundwork for this database.

Where Is the Workforce Bill at Now?

The next step is a vote by all Senators as early as this week! Each of the 30 Senators will vote and passage requires a majority.

Get to Work!

We encourage you to contact your legislators and sign in in support of these bills.