Message from the Chair
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Debra Gay Anderson, PhD, APRN, BC |
It is hard to believe that yet another year has passed by and we will soon be coming together in Washington, D.C. for APHA’s 135th Annual Meeting, “Politics, Policy, and Public Health.” Everything is political. We all know this truism, although we often deny or fail to speak that truth. Our altruism leads us to believe that decisions be made for the greater good. After all, is that not what we learned in our public health nursing classes? We should look out for the common good, the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Social justice is the foundation of public health and public health nursing.
The American Public Health Association has promoted social justice and has been a mover and a shaker on Capitol Hill in the drive to eliminate health disparities. Congress has heard the voices of public health nurses, and the voices of many other Americans. Both the House and Senate have passed legislation to renew and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) that is essential to providing health care for children living in low-income families. New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, citing a recent Georgetown University poll, indicated that 9 in 10 Americans — including 83 percent of self-identified Republicans — support an expansion of SCHIP. Our legislators have recognized the will of the public to provide health coverage for our most vulnerable, our children. This proposed expansion also has the support of the nation’s Democratic and Republican governors, the American Medical Association, and key lobbying groups representing several private insurance companies.
President Bush, however, is not listening to the public, health care professionals, the insurance industry, or even leaders in his own party. Instead, he has chosen to play ideological hardball and has vetoed to renew the SCHIP legislation that is so vital for the health of our nation’s children. This health bill has funding built into it via a cigarette tax increase, but it is apparent that funding is not the real issue at stake. Rather, President Bush has stated that he does not want socialized medicine in the United States. SCHIP is not socialized medicine, it is a health insurance program that has successfully provided real access to health care for many of our uninsured children, instead of “… just going to an emergency room.” The U.S. House of Representatives has scheduled a vote on October 18 to override President Bush's veto. I urge you to write, call, and email your Representatives and Senators to urge them to override this presidential veto. Last month I urged you to present your Congressional leaders with the facts and issues facing our clients. You did and they responded. However, our work is not finished. As Public Health Nurses, advocates for the poor, uninsured and unrepresented, we have an obligation to make our voices heard for the health of a population that has no political power. That is our calling, to advocate for the most vulnerable in our society.
I hope that many of you will join your public health nursing colleagues in Washington, D.C. I invite you to participate in our dialogue and debate as we address the health needs of America’s vulnerable populations, especially as we develop effective strategies that will guide us in the elimination of health disparities. Washington, D.C. is the perfect venue for these conversations. Begin with Advocacy Training on Saturday morning and continue with visits on “The Hill” to meet with your congressional representatives or their legislative aides, become educated in the process and then put that process to work for the greater good.
It is not coincidental that the theme of the 135th Annual Meeting in Washington, D. C. is Politics, Policy and Public Health, and that a great many abstract submissions were related to advocacy. Using the key word “advocacy,” I searched the annual meeting’s online program. I had 466 hits! Public Health Nursing is ready to rock D.C. with Politics, Policy and Public Health. Please join us in this exciting work!
A Portrait of the Nation’s Uninsured Children
9 million - Number of uninsured children in the United States.
3.4 million - Number of uninsured children who are white, non-Hispanic.
3.3 million - Number of uninsured children who are Hispanic.
1.6 million -
Number of uninsured children who are black.
670,000 - Number of uninsured children of other racial and ethnic backgrounds.
90% - Percentage of uninsured children that come from families where at least one parent works.
74% - Percentage of uninsured children eligible for SCHIP or Medicaid but not enrolled.
50% Percentage of two-parent families of uninsured children in which both parents work.
15% - Percentage of uninsured children in families with incomes over 300 percent of the federal poverty level who are ineligible for Medicaid and SCHIP.
11% - Percentage of uninsured children in families not eligible for Medicaid or SCHIP with incomes below 300% of the federal poverty level who cannot afford to purchase private health coverage.
Sources: Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, Campaign for Children’s Health Care, Dubay L et al.
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Local Arrangements Committee Prepares for 2007 Annual Meeting
November is approaching quickly. We are looking forward to seeing all of you next month for the annual APHA convention at the Washington, DC Convention Center.
Many activities are planned for the nursing section beginning with the Quad Council presentation on Sunday, November 4, from 5:00-6:30 PM. All attendees are invited to attend this session. Please register in advance, however there is no fee to attend.
The annual Public Health Nursing Section luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, November 6, from 12:30-2:00 PM. This program features the presentation of various nursing achievement awards. Tickets are required for this event. If you do not purchase tickets prior to this event, you can buy them onsite at the meal-ticket booth in the registration area of the Washington Convention Center. We recommend getting your tickets early. This luncheon sells out!
Also on Tuesday, November 6, a Student Reception, combined with the Public Health Nursing Town Hall, will take place from 6:00- 8:00 PM. During the evening, we will recognize students and discuss public health nursing topics with public health nursing leaders. Refreshments will be provided.
Please stop by the Public Health Nursing Section - Booth #242 in the exhibit hall and pick up information on opportunities and activities of the APHA public health nursing section. There will be items to purchase to remember your time here.
We look forward to meeting you. The committee has worked hard to assure a memorable visit to the Nation’s Capitol!
Rita Munley Gallagher, PhD, RN
Rita J. Lourie, MSN, MPH, RN
Irene Sandvold, DRPH, CNM, FACNM
Local Arrangements Committee Co-Chairs
Development Committee Funds
PHN Section Annual Meeting Events
The Development Committee has been meeting by conference call to assist the Local Arrangements Committee with planning and fundraising. The annual fundraising letter was distributed to over 750 nursing school deans and directors across the country to secure funding for the PHN section. In addition, the Development Committee is developing planning guidelines that can facilitate future planning at the local level based on lessons learned.
Demetrius J. Porche, DNS
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PHN Section Leadership Election Results
Congratulations to our newly elected PHN Section leadership who will take office at the conclusion of the 2007 APHA 135th Annual Meeting!
Chair-Elect
Beth F Lamanna, WHNP, MPH, RN
Secretary-Elect
Judy Gibson, MSN, BSN, RN
Section Council
Anne E, Belcher DNS, MSN, PNP, BSN
Alexandra A. Garcia, PhD, RN, APRN-BC
Governing Council
Theresa Heaton, MPH, BSN
Vanessa Nelson Hill, MS, RN
David J. Reyes, MN, MPH, RN
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