Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 2, 1993 TAG: 9304280454
SECTION: NURSES PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By SANDRA WHITLEY RYALS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
At a time of growing concern and intense debate about America's health care system, nurses and consumers are sharing a vision to provide better access to affordable, quality health care through community-based efforts.
The American Nurses Association/Foundation (ANA/F) and the National Consumers League (NCL) have formed a unique partnership to bring nurses, consumers and others together in community coalitions around local health care access issues. Funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the collaborative project is focused on strengthening coalition building and leadership skills of both nurses and consumers.
The "Community-Based Health Care Project" encourages nurses to be active participants in local health care coalitions with consumer organizations and other health care professionals in the community. It also gives consumers a fuller appreciation of the role nurses play in improving quality and access to care.
In an effort to increase access at the local level, the project will hold training sessions in the pilot sites, and throughout the U.S., conduct a nationwide survey of coalitions and develop a database and resources.
The three major objectives of the Community-Based Health Care Project are:
To train nurse and consumer leaders in health care public policy, economics, management, media relations and communications skills so they can assume key public policy roles in their communities, states and at the national level.
To establish or strengthen community-based coalitions of consumers, nurses, business leaders other health professionals, and community leaders to work toward access to cost-effective quality health care in three pilot sites throughout the country. Special efforts will be made to include representatives of minority, underserved and other populations.
To develop a communications network among these groups, with an outreach to policymakers and to communities considering the establishment of similar coalitions.
There are three areas selected for the project: Milwaukee, Wis.; the state of Virginia; and west central Florida. Six locations in Virginia have been chosen, including Roanoke, Martinsville, Charlottesville, Richmond, Northern Virginia and the Eastern Shore.
The three-year grant is an outgrowth of the W.K. Kellogg-funded National Commission on Nursing Implementation Project (NICNIP), which brought together nurses, business groups, providers, payers and consumers to develop change in nursing education, practice and research.
NCL and ANA were on the governing board of the six-year project which concluded its work in May 1991. As part of NICNIP, the Ad Council sponsored publicity to recruit nurses through the media.
"Helping people help themselves" is the cornerstone of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. As a private grant-making foundation, it provides seed money to organizations and institutions that have identified problems and have designed constructive action programs aimed at solutions. The foundation supports programs in the areas of youth, leadership, community-based health services, agriculture and education.
The three national organizations directing the Community-Based Health Care Project constitute a dynamic partnership. ANA is the professional organization representing the nation's 2 million registered nurses through its 53 constituent state associations. ANF serves as the educational arm of ANA and has extensive experience in administering programs of national scope. The National Consumers League has as a primary goal access to affordable, quality health care for all Americans. It has members in all 50 states and a history of successful coalition building at the community and national levels.
Health care reform is a hot issue in America today. Much needs to be done at the national and state level to overhaul our health care system, and many answers are being offered to solve the dilemma of health care reform.
Nursing's Agenda for Health Care Reform calls for a restructured health care system that will focus on the consumers and their health, with services to be delivered in familiar, convenient sites, such as schools, workplaces and homes. A shift from the predominant focus on illness and cure must change to one that emphasizes prevention, wellness and care.
While the nation anxiously awaits the report of the President's Health Care Task Force, consumers and nurses can focus together on local planning, coalition building, and action.
For information about becoming involved in the Community Based Health Care Project in Roanoke, contact Anne C. Hoge, Site Coordinator, 703-857-6020, P. O. Box 4542, Roanoke.
Nurses and consumers can improve access to health care! Sharing visions and collaborating pave the way. SANDRA WHITLEY RYALS, M.S., R.N., C.N.A.A., IS THE IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT OF THE VIRGINIA NURSES ASSOCIATION. SHE IS ALSO THE NURSE DIRECTOR FOR ROANOKE CITY HEALTH DISTRICT, VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN ROANOKE.
by CNB