WASHINGTON, D.C. – Honoring National Nurses Day, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today introduced the bipartisan National Nurse Act of 2015, legislation that would elevate the role of nurses in America’s public health by designating a National Nurse for Public Health. HR 379 was introduced in the House of Representatives in January, 2015 by Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Rep. Pete King (R-NY). Now there is a companion bill in the Senate. Rep. Johnson is one of several nurses serving in the Congress. Sen. Merkey’s wife is a nurse. “As the husband of a nurse, I know firsthand the hard work that nurses put…
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An Open Letter to Mrs. Michelle Obama
Dear Mrs. Obama, As nurses, we were thrilled when the President announced during his State of the Union speech that you will be spearheading a comprehensive program to reduce childhood obesity. As you well know this is one of the fastest rising epidemics in our country. If we are indeed to make a difference and truly reform health care, then one of the most important steps we can take is to be proactive and prevent illness and complications. A large portion of skyrocketing health care costs can be attributed to paying for complications of preventable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Obesity plays a huge role in these diseases…