2019 Nebraska Nurses Association Yearbook
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NNA AFFILIATE REPORTS<br />
NNP Liaison Representative: Douglass Haas<br />
Tara Whitmire, DNP, APRN-NP, CHFN<br />
NNP President<br />
1) Membership<br />
• 1,970 Advanced Practice Registered <strong>Nurses</strong> in <strong>Nebraska</strong>, 1,474 (75%) are Nurse Practitioners (2018 RN<br />
Renewal)<br />
• 350+ members of <strong>Nebraska</strong> Nurse Practitioners<br />
2) Legislative<br />
• NNP was active in the legislative process again this year. We worked with the <strong>Nebraska</strong> APRN Coalition on<br />
LB730 APRN consensus bill. This bill was brought forward by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing<br />
(NCSBN). It intended to align <strong>Nebraska</strong> with the APRN consensus model to allow APRNs to practice to the<br />
full extent of their license and education. It had a Health and Human Services (HHS) committee hearing<br />
on 2/6/19. Senator Howard, Chair of the HHS committee, has requested that the certified nurse midwives<br />
complete the 407 process before moving forward with consensus model. More to come on this bill.<br />
• NNP gave testimony in favor of LB29 – Provide and eliminate telehealth provisions. This bill added nurse<br />
practitioners and other health care providers that are licensed under the Uniform Credentialing Act to provide<br />
telehealth. It was passed by the Unicameral and signed in to law on March 21, <strong>2019</strong>.<br />
• NNP Member Cathy Philips, MSN, APRN-NP gave testimony in support of LB 327 - State intent to appropriate<br />
funds for an increase in rates paid to behavioral health service providers. The bill initially requested a provider<br />
rate increase of 5% for certain behavioral health services. The bill that passed allowed for a 2% increase the<br />
first year and an additional 2% increase the second year (totaling 4% increase). By substantially increasing<br />
behavioral health provider rates paid during the biennium budget cycle, it is the intent of the Legislature to<br />
ensure that providers of these services can continue to serve <strong>Nebraska</strong>ns in the medical assistance program<br />
and the probation system.<br />
• The legislative committee also worked on grassroots efforts and assembled a packet of information related to<br />
nurse practitioners. Terry Thomas, MSN, APRN-NP delivered these packets to 40 senators during the session!<br />
The legislative committee will continue to work with NNP’s lobbyist, Cora Schrader, to help educate senators<br />
and advocate for nurse practitioners. NNP needs your help to continue this work. Your membership fees help<br />
ensure we have the resources needed to continue being health policy advocates.<br />
• NNP was a Sponsor, and board members & members were attendees of the 2018 <strong>Nurses</strong>’ Political Reception and<br />
the NNA <strong>Nurses</strong> Day at the Legislature. NNP will continue to support both events annually.<br />
3) Public Relations<br />
• The American <strong>Association</strong> of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) annual conference took place from June 25-30,<br />
<strong>2019</strong> in Indianapolis, IN. Tara Whitmire, DNP, APRN-NP, Miranda Kliment, DNP, APRN-NP, Roberta Kroeger,<br />
MSN, APRN-NP, Gloria Akainda, MSN, APRN-NP and Nick Crill, MSN, APRN-NP were in attendance from<br />
<strong>Nebraska</strong>. There were over 4,000 NPs in attendance and hundreds of sessions to attend! It was quite a sight!<br />
The State Excellence Awards were given and NNP wants to congratulate Roberta Kroeger, MSN, APRN-NP for<br />
38 | NURSING Putting the Pieces Together: Where Do You Fit?
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