Wanda Rose, Bismarck, letter: N.D. Nurses Association supports Pomeroy

By Wanda Rose

BISMARCK — The American Nurses Association and the North Dakota Nurses Association endorsed Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., for re-election to the U.S. House.

ANA’s political action committee is bipartisan and works directly with both national parties to recruit and support candidates who show strong support for nursing and health are issues. These issues include supporting access to health care, removing barriers to access to health care, the Children’s Health Care Insurance Program, recruitment and retention of registered nurses and programs that promote health and disease prevention.

After reviewing all relevant information, the ANA-PAC endorsed Pomeroy, a concgressman who has shown strong support for nursing and health care issues.

For example:

** Recently, Pomeroy spoke against a proposed Medicare change that would require “direct physician supervision” for outpatient therapy services, particularly for nursing intervention and practices that RNs are uniquely qualified to provide.

This proposed rule change affects access to health care in rural North Dakota. It also ties the hands of nurses, hindering their practice of what they’re educated and qualified to perform.

Pomeroy is fighting to help change this rule that could force rural hospitals in North Dakota to cut services.

** Pomeroy also supported expanding coverage of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which lets states provide pregnancy-related assistance for women whose income is at least 185 percent of their state’s poverty level or at least 200 percent of the poverty level for children younger than 19.

In contrast. Pomeroy’s opponent Rick Berg did not support increasing North Dakota’s eligibility for CHIP to 200 percent. In 2009, Berg also voted against SB 2283, a bill relating to the Medical Assistance eligibility requirements for pregnant women whose income is equal to 165 percent of the federal poverty level.

** The American Nurses Association and the North Dakota Nurses Association supported a restructured health care system that would increase access to health care. That’s why our organizations supported the recently enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which Pomeroy voted for.

The act increases funding for the primary care work force; boosts grants for nurse-managed health centers and nurse education, practice and retention programs, expands nurse loan repayment and scholarship programs and offers work force diversity grants for advanced practice registered nurses who agree to work in geriatrics or long-term care.

All of which increases access to health care, especially in rural states such as North Dakota.

Again in contrast, Berg claims he will repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which he refers to as “Obamacare.” Repealing of the act will hurt access to health care in North Dakota.

** As a state representative, Berg voted against SB 2384 in 2007. The bill provides an appropriation to the state Department of Health for health care access grants to local public health units and community-based nonprofit organizations. He also opposed HB 1512 in 2007, a bill to provide for a rural health care access grant program.

All of which would have increased access to health care for residents of North Dakota.

The Code of Ethics for Nurses states that it’s nursing’s ethical responsibility “to bring about the social change necessary to enhance health care” and to remain vigilant in its advocacy for patient- and family-centered care through leadership, political action and collective unity.

This is why ANA/NDNA has become involved in the endorsement process for the House and has endorsed Pomeroy.

Rose is a registered nurse and president of the North Dakota Nurses Association.

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