At the INPS Fall Conference you were notified of an effort of the Iowa Medical Society to restrict the practice of ARNPs through the issue of chronic Interventional pain management (CIPM).  This effort has culminated by the introduction of a Senate Study Bill 3085 (click here to view bill).

This bill will make it a misdemeanor for anyone other than a physician, podiatrist or dentist to practice chronic interventional pain management.  There will be a subcommittee meeting on Thursday, January 28 at 5 pm at the Capitol to discuss this (Room 206 behind the Senate Chamber).  If you can be present, please call Charlotte Kelley at 515-699-6987.  

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND ACTION NOW! 

The following are options for taking action...
1. Call Charlotte to let her know you can attend at the Capitol on January 28 -- 515-699-6987
(January 28th, 2010 at 5 pm, room 206 behind the Senate Chamber)

2. Click this link to view a letter from the Iowa Hospital Association and click the “Take Action” link on their website to send a letter to your Senator to make them aware that this is happening and you are not in support of it.

Just below you will find additional details about the bill.  Thank you for your time.

Best regards,
Charlotte Kelley ARNP
INPS NP Committee Chair
cmkelley2018@gmail.com

More Details...
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There is a serious threat before the Iowa State Senate to the healthcare of Iowans.  There is a bill that has been introduced into the Iowa State Senate that would effectively eliminate Chronic Interventional Pain Management for patients in rural Iowa.  Some of you I have discussed this matter with, others may not be aware of the gravity of the situation.    For those of you who are not as familiar with the issue, here is some background. 

Chronic pain can be debilitating and often becomes the defining factor in patient’s lives. Without relief, or the hope of relief, many patients lose the ability to eat, sleep, work and function normally. To care for these patients, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists have been safely and successfully treating chronic pain in Iowa hospitals for two decades. To date, the Iowa Board of Nursing cannot identify a single disciplinary action taken against a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist relevant to chronic interventional pain management. This legislation limits the ability of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists to treat patients with chronic pain and would have far reaching implications. For example, some Iowans would have to travel over 100 miles and contend with waiting times of six weeks or more to see a pain management physician – both of which would be difficult for someone experiencing chronic pain. Please understand that advanced nursing practice enhances patient access to effective, integrated and coordinated health care and provides a much needed link to the most vulnerable of our population such as the elderly and those living in rural and underserved areas.
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