Advocate Health Care 2011 Springfield Nurse Advocacy Day
On May 4, members of Advocate Health Care's Nurse Advocacy Council hosted their sixth annual Nurse Advocacy Day at the State Capitol in Springfield. In total, 50 direct care nurses from across the Advocate system, met with 45 state legislators, Director Michael McRaith, Division of Insurance, and Governor Pat Quinn.
Advocate nurses met with legislators to discuss issues that impact their profession, with a goal of educating legislators on critical health care initiatives. Advocate nurses urged support of the Nurse Licensure Compact (SB 1305), which would give reciprocal licensure protection to nurses both in Illinois and the other 24 compact states, to provide case management through a patient's continuum of care. A perfect example of the compact at work is Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords who received care in both Arizona and Texas, both Compact member states.
The nurses also voiced their opposition to Gov. Quinn's proposed 2012 Medicaid budget, which calls for 6 percent or $552 million reduction in funding for the state's Medicaid program. The proposed impact of these cuts on hospitals is an estimated $300 million, which will only save the state $100 million in spending. Advocate Health Care estimates a reimbursement reduction of $25 million annually from the proposed 6 percent cut.
Legislators welcomed the opinions and perspectives of Advocate nurses. Many of them also conveyed their respect and support of the tireless commitment of nursing professionals. Advocate's presence at the Capitol helped to educate lawmakers on nursing issues while contributing to the visibility of Advocate hospitals and our 250 sites of care.
The Nurse Advocacy Council now looks ahead to hosting state legislators during the Annual Fall Legislative Forums at our major sites of care.
The Nurse Advocacy Council of Advocate Health Care is a self-governed council composed entirely of frontline nurses that work to educate and empower the largest nursing audience in Illinois: Advocate's more than 9,000 professional nurses. Advocate is the first health care provider in Illinois to provide frontline nurses with this opportunity, thus giving them a stronger voice on legislative issues.