| Last week Senator Haridopolos announced a state wide health care tour where local leaders would come together to discuss health care and medicaid reform. CAP-PAC president Stan Whittaker stays updated on all the latest happenings around the state where ARNPs need to be involved and immediately notified coalition groups.
CAP-PAC called Senator Haridopolos’ office and ascertained that nursing had not been invited. On behalf of ARNPs, Representative Michelle Vasilinda called Senator Haridopolos’ office to ask that ARNPs be invited and received a favorable reply. Thanks to the organizing efforts of CAP-PAC’s Mai Kung, coalition group members from across the state stepped up and attended six regional meetings. CAP-PAC ‘s Susan Lynch, Joella Hall and Jan Hess attended the Orlando Meeting where Lynch spoke about how ARNPs can save money while providing high quality health care. Several organizations also spoke favorably about ARNPs. Senator Haridopolos’ wife, Dr Stephanie Haridopolos also spoke favorably about using “allied health” providers to provide care. She personally received an information packet and emailed us to thank us for the information. CAP-PAC’s Cindy Drew was able to go to one of two Tampa meetings but it was closed to the public and she was not allowed inside. CAP-PAC’s Mai Kung attended the Tallahassee meeting and spoke about access to care issues, how ARNPS can solve our access problems and malpractice reforms. Information about how ARNPs provide high qualilty care that improves outcomes and saves states money was given at several meetings. In attendance at all the meetings was Senator Don Gaetz who is the chair of the Senate Health Regulation Committee. |