The state needs to do a better job including nurses on state appointed healthcare-related advisory boards when legislation creates such advisory boards, said Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio during floor debate Tuesday. DeLissio raised the point while debating a bill to create the Patient-Centered Medical Home Advisory Council, HB 1655, but said the overall need is to ensure that nurses are accorded the opportunity to participate in the ever-evolving direction of the health care environment.  Click here to watch Rep. DeLissio’s statement on the House Floor.

The key word is team, and nurses are an integral part of our health care system, said DeLissio, D-Montgomery/Phila. We seem to pretty consistently overlook the role of our nurses, particularly as health care moves forward, and we need to correct that. This legislation allows for many physician categories to participate and includes only one nurse category.

 There’s not an opportunity to [fix] that here on the floor, but I sincerely hope the Senate will correct this oversight, she added with respect to HB 1655.

HB 1655 cleared the House on Tuesday and awaits consideration in the Senate.

PSNA asks that you contact your State Senator and State Representative and explain to them the role you play in patient-centered medical homes and in the changing health care environment. Click here to find your elected officials.