Legislative News for March 2020 by Dr. Linda Frye
Posted about 4 years ago by Sarah Scheuermann
Legislative Information for March 2020
Important Note: As we are practicing social distancing including closing almost all schools across the country. The stress level of the nation is very high with concerns about becoming ill, unemployment, lack of childcare, children home all the time, etc. Please think about what we can do to help children, adolescents, and families. Reach out to your patients and families. Get involved with identifying ways to practice social distancing while remaining connected in other ways. Lack of computers and internet service for people looking for alternatives to work and school presents another challenge. SC is mobilizing internet enabled school buses into areas with poor internet access for children to do their schoolwork. This may be a strategy that can be used across the country. We need to be at the forefront helping parents create activities for their children including things like playing simple games like I Spy, Simon Says, storytelling, reading labels to practice math, doing things as a family, and other no cost activities. We also need to be award of children and families who may be going hungry because the schools are closed, many schools provide 1-2 meals a day for these children. Think about the ways we can reach out and help decrease the stress levels during this stressful time.
Please let me know at napnapechapter@gmail.com attention Linda Frye if you know of or are participating in activities to help or if you are aware of any legislative issues related to APRNs and/or children's health.
Covid-19 has taken over most of the legislative news. Several related items include two bills passed by Congress and signed by the President to provide funding for testing, finding a vaccine, provide sick time for employees, emergency leave for those caring for affected family members, etc.
Many APRNs across the country are reporting relaxing of the restrictions for reimbursement for telehealth care. APRNs and telehealth are helping to address the health care needs during the crisis. Hope is that when the crisis improves, relaxation of telehealth reimbursement restrictions will continue.
State Reports: Florida: Barrier reduction bill passed both houses and was sent to the governor to be signed into law
South Carolina: Restrictions for APRN reimbursement for telehealth loosened due to Covid-19 to increase access to care. One of the issues is the lack of internet services for patients seeking telehealth care. APRNs are going to see if they can piggyback onto the busses to improve access to telehealth services.
Rhode Island Basic Emergency and Response Skills Legislative Bill: In RI, high school students are required to take basic emergency and response skills including CPR, stop the bleed, etc. Teachers and staff are not required to have the same training. The bill proposed 80% of faculty and staff receive the training.
Nationally: There is a concern among soon to graduate APRN students having difficulty completing clinical hours due to the Covid-19 emergency. Several groups are working on this issue. Please notify me if you are aware of any problems or methods to assist these students.
Important Note: As we are practicing social distancing including closing almost all schools across the country and the stress level of the nation is very high, please think about what we can do to help children, adolescents, and families. Reach out to your patients and families. Get involved with identifying ways to practice social distancing while remaining connected."
Linda Frye, PhD, RN, CPNP