What's New . . .
 
Senate Child Nutrition Reauthorization Bill Passed Before the August Recess
With the ardent efforts of school nurses and other groups concerned about child nutrition, the Senate achieved a rare, bipartisan consensus as it passed the child nutrition reauthorization bill by unanimous consent. The legislation, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, increases reimbursements to school systems for lunches, provides more training to help schools serve healthier meals, and strengthens school wellness policies on nutrition and physical activity.  Passage of the bill is a step in the right direction for removing junk food from school vending machines, a la carte lines, and school stores.  Many thanks to those who have worked so hard to make this a reality!  The House is now urged to pass its child nutrition bill so that the reauthorization act can soon become law.  For more information on the bill, click here and enter bill number S. 3307.
posted to the NASN Weekly Digest 08/12/10
 
Ending Corporal Punishment in Schools Act
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy from New York has introduced legislation addressing corporal punishment in schools.  She recently stated, "The bottom line is that if we don't allow beatings in prisons or in mental institutions, then it's time we stop allowing it in our schools."  NASN has been working with Rep. McCarthy's staff regarding the school nurse perspective on corporal punishment.  Click here for more information.  To read the bill, click here and type in bill number H.R.5628.  
posted to the NASN Weekly Digest 08/12/10
 
NASN Working to Achieve Reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act
Click here to view the online ad signed by NASN and 127 other organizations, prominently placed in the 07/21/10 editions of Roll Call and CQ Today (publications read daily by congressional members and staffers).  Consider contacting your Members of Congress to urge them to request the leadership bring the bills to a vote before the end of the summer.
posted to the NASN Weekly Digest 07/22/10
 
Regulations Requiring New Health Insurance Plans to Provide Free Preventive Care
The Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury issued regulations requiring new private health plans to cover evidence-based preventive services and eliminate cost-sharing requirements for such services. Click here for more information.
posted to the NASN Weekly Digest 07/15/10
 
Show Your Support for the Reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act
Reach your Members of Congress by calling:  202-224-3121.  Ask your Senators to pass S. 3307; and your Representative to pass H.R. 5504.
posted to the NASN Weekly Digest 07/15/10
 
Help With Understanding the Health Reform Law
With all the confusion that still surrounds health reform, Families USA continues to develop materials to assist with public education efforts.  Click here for resources to help guide your work.
posted to the NASN Weekly Digest 06/17/10
 
Educating Congress about Public Health
The American Public Health Association is mobilizing public health advocates to educate members of Congress on policies that help to build and maintain healthy communities.  To learn more about APHA's Public Health Action Campaign, click here.
posted to the NASN Weekly Digest 06/17/10
 
Improving Nutrition for America's Children – House Bill Introduced for Reauthorizing Child Nutrition Programs
The bi-partisan bill was introduced on 6/10 by Representative George Miller (D-CA), Chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, together with Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) and Representative Todd Platts (R-PA).  Detailed information on the legislation, which includes most of the National Alliance on Nutrition and Activity recommendations, is available here.
posted to the NASN Weekly Digest 06/17/10
 
Questions About the Affordable Care Act – Health Reform Law?
A new comprehensive Web site is available to answer your questions about health reform.  Click here to learn more.  Under the Reports Section, there is a White House document specific to children:  How Health Insurance Reform Will Help Children.
posted to the NASN Weekly Digest 06/10/10
 
Bipartisan Group of 53 Senators Support Bringing The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act to the Floor
Advocacy efforts from groups interested in improving child nutrition (including NASN) have been working with the Senate Agriculture Committee to ensure the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act takes place before the end of the 111th Congress.  Click here for more information.
posted to the NASN Weekly Digest 06/03/10
 
U.S. House of Representatives Joins the Senate in Passage of a Resolution Designating September 2010 as Childhood Obesity Month
Go to www.thomas.gov to read HRES 996, which cites NASN as one of the supporters.
posted to the NASN Weekly Digest 05/27/10
 
Hearing on the Impact of Concussions on High School Athletes
The May 20th hearing held by the Committee on Education & Labor examined the prevalence of concussions among the athletes and how injuries can impact academic achievement.  The role of school nurses was addressed by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy.  Additionally, NASN assisted CDC in the development of a new concussion toolkit for schools, which CDC has just released.  Click here for information on the hearing and here for the concussion toolkit.
posted to the NASN Weekly Digest 05/27/10
 
Health Reform Law and Immediate Implications for State Medicaid and CHIP Programs: Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Requirement
States will now be required to maintain eligibility levels for Medicaid through December 31, 2014, or whenever the new health insurance exchange is fully operational.  They will also be required to maintain eligibility for children's coverage in Medicaid and CHIP through September 20, 2019.  Read more details about the MOE requirement.
posted to the NASN Weekly Digest 04/01/10
 
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Allows for More School-Based Health Centers (SBHC)
The health reform law authorizes a federal SBHC grant program that would provide $50 million over five years, and an emergency appropriation that would provide $200 million for SBHCs over two years.  For more information click here.
posted to the NASN Weekly Digest 03/25/10
 
Reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act Underway
The draft bill, titled the "Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010," passed out of the Senate Agriculture Committee on 3/24/10.  It addresses most of the key recommendations NASN has been advocating for, including updating the national nutrition standards for foods sold out of vending and a la carte; stronger school wellness policies; higher school lunch reimbursements; and additional provisions to improve the nutritional quality of school meals by expanding financial resources and technical assistance, strengthening compliance with school meal nutrition standards, and ensuring that only low-fat milk is served with school meals. Click here to find a summary of the nutrition provisions of the bill.  Click here to access the full bill and amendments.
posted to the NASN Weekly Digest 03/25/10
 
Blueprint on the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
On Saturday, March 13, the Obama administration released its blueprint for revising ESEA. The proposal challenges the nation to embrace educational standards that would put America on a path to global leadership.  There will be incentives for states to adopt academic standards that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace and create accountability systems that measure student growth toward meeting the goal that all children graduate.  The physical and mental health of students is highlighted throughout the blueprint.  Click here for information on the blueprint.
posted to the NASN Weekly Digest 03/18/10
 
Congressional Hearings are Being Held on the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
Hearings have begun in both the House and the Senate on the reauthorization of ESEA.  Senator Harkin, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, has made numerous statements about the importance of health and learning.  Chairman Miller of the House Education and Labor Committee is also addressing health as part of improving the education system.  For information on the hearings, click here.  To view those that are available on line, click here.  
posted to the NASN Weekly Digest 03/18/10