KNA issues legislative alert follow-up

By SHARON ELI MERCER
Executive Director, Kentucky Nurses Association

LOUISVILLE — This is a follow-up to the Legislative Alert we sent out a few weeks ago. The Joint Interim Health and Welfare Committee met on Wed. After much intense discussion, the amendment allowing Paramedics to triage in hospital emergency rooms was passed. Representative Mary Lou Marizian introduced an amendment that would have taken the triage piece out, but it was defeated. Those voting for the amendment Representative Marizian proposed were: Rep. Kathy Stein, Sen.David Karem,Rep. Tom Burch, Rep. Susan Westrom, Rep. Joni Jenkins and Rep. Marzian. A letter or e-mail of appreciation would be a good thing to do for their support in this issue. Rep. Burch and Rep. Marzian worked especially hard on this and are to be commended for their commitment to the healthcare of the citizens of the Commonwealth. 

It is obvious that the Hospital Association did their homework with these legislators. They had done a good job convincing the majority that there is no difference in a nurse and a paramedic when it comes to triage. That there is no difference in hospital triage than what they do on a road somewhere. So, we have a lot of education to do with the H&W Committee before the Jan. session begins. Thanks to all of you who took the time to call, e-mail or write the legislators. A special thank you goes to Patti Howard who has been to all of the meetings, and to Gayla Edlin and Trish Birchfield who testified also at the H&W meeting when it was at it's hottest. Many Board members, ARNPs and ER nurses also took their time to come to meetings when they could get there. Thanks to all of you. 

I am including the current list of members of the Interim Joint Health and Welfare Committee. Please contact those that did not vote for the amendment Mary Lou introduced and let them know how disappointed you are that they do not understand the difference. Some areas to talk about are the critical thinking skills nurses apply to the assessment process versus the protocol approach paramedics practice under, How triage is the initial assessment from which care is planned for that patient, and assessment cannot be delegated by a nurse. The curriculum paramedics train under is based on the Dept of Transportation curriculum for pre-hospital treatment, not in hospital. These are just some areas of concern. You can add many of your own. 

The only avenues left to change this reg are: 
a.. Have it recalled by Legislative Reg Review ---Not going to happen because they passed it unanimously 
b.. Have it recalled by Health and Welfare---Not going to happen 
c.. File a lawsuit to halt the implementation of it 
d.. Come back with an amendment at the next Legislative Session and go through that process.

The list of Interim Joint Health and Welfare Members are: 

INTERIM JOINT COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & WELFARE MEMBERS
Jan. 30, 2001

a.. Sen. Julie Denton, Co-Chair 
b.. Rep. Tom Burch, Co-Chair 
c.. Sen. Tom Buford, Vice Chair 
d.. Rep. Bob DeWeese, Vice Chair 
e.. Rep. Paul Bather, Vice Chair 
f.. Rep. Stephen Nunn, Vice Chair 
g.. Rep. Kathy Stein, Vice Chair 
h.. Sen. Charles Borders 
i.. Sen Paul Herron, Jr. 
j.. Sen. David Karem 
k.. Sen. Ed Miller 
l.. Sen.Daniel Mongiardo 
m.. Sen. Joey Pendleton 
n.. Sen. Richard Roeding 
o.. Sen. Dan Seum 
p.. Sen. Katie Stine 
q.. Rep. John Arnold, Jr. 
r.. Rep. Kevin Bratcher 
s.. Rep. Brian Crall 
t.. Rep. Robert Damron 
u.. Rep. James Gooch 
v.. Rep. Bob Heleringer 
w.. Rep. Joni Jenkins 
x.. Rep. Mary Lou Marzian 
y.. Rep. Ruth Ann Palumbo 
z.. Rep. Jon David Reinhardt 
aa.. Rep. Susan Westrom

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