| | UAHuntsville nursing dean Fay Raines addresses Congress(6/24/2009)
Fay Raines, dean and professor of the College of Nursing (CON) at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAHuntsville), commended lawmakers and senate committee members in Washington, D.C., last week, about the newly introduced Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.Raines, president of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), testified before Congress of the need to strengthen support for nursing schools and other health (professional) programs, expanding initiatives to prepare more nursing faculty, and securing opportunities for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to serve as primary care providers. The Affordable Health Choices Act (615 pages) deals with key issues such as affordable coverage for all Americans, improving the quality and efficiency of health care through quality measures and resolving future workforce issues. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP), released the legislation to the public on June 9. Raines further commended members of the HELP committee on recognizing the fundamental need for accessible quality care and understanding the contribution nurses would make to ensure the provisions of the bill are implemented. AACN also applauded the Senate HELP Committee's work to reauthorize specific sections of the Public Health Service Act, which provides necessary funds for nursing and health education programs. "AACN stands ready to assist the Senate HELP Committee and Congress to pass meaningful healthcare reform legislation that creates a patient-centered delivery system and recognizes the important role nurses play in achieving this national priority," Raines said. Raines was installed as the new president of the AACN on March 31, 2008, at the organization's annual meeting in Washington, D. C. Raines, who has more than 30 years of experience in psychiatric mental health nursing, graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor's in nursing and a master's in psychiatric mental health nursing. She earned a PhD in nursing from the University of Maryland. AACN is the national voice for the more than 600 member nursing schools offering America's baccalaureate and higher-degree nursing education programs. For more information: Ray Garner, (256)UAH-NEWS |
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