When it comes to advocacy, sometimes the headline is not the full story.
You probably know that the “Same rate for same service” bill did not make it out of the legislature this year. What you may not know is that AAPPN made significant legislative advancements for the profession through its advocacy during the 2022 legislative session.
Through the work of AAPPN’s Legislative Committee volunteers and our Lobbyist, Devon Connor-Green, AAPPN successfully lobbied for a number of important bills which were passed by the legislature and signed into law. These include:
- Forensic Competency Programs – AAPPN successfully lobbied to include Psychiatric ARNPs as providers to be able to provide competency evaluations, expert testimony in criminal insanity proceedings, and make decisions on behalf of forensic mental health facilities.
- Assisted Outpatient Treatment – Revises the definition of “in need of assisted outpatient behavioral health treatment” under the Involuntary Treatment Act. Establishes a new procedure for designated persons to directly file a petition in superior court for up to 18 months of assisted outpatient treatment (AOT), and establishes requirements and procedures for the petition process.
- Telemedicine/Relationship – Changes the definition of established relationship for purposes of reimbursement for audio-only telemedicine to three years for behavioral health services.
- Nurse Educator Loans – Establishes the Nurse Educator Loan Repayment Program under the Washington Health Corps.
- Workforce Surcharge/Clinics – Exempts provider clinics and affiliated organizations from the workforce education investment surcharge.
Please take a look at the full 2022 Legislative Report to see the ways in which AAPPN volunteers and staff worked to protect and strengthen our profession. Our thanks to Legislation Committee members Nikki Behner, Piper Buersmeyer, Kristine Highlander, Patricia Morgan, and Anne Marie Patterson.
Be a part of the action! As a member of AAPPN’s Legislation Committee, you can work with your colleagues to make our voices heard in Olympia. No special knowledge needed, just a desire to help. Find out more by contacting Kirk Roberts at gro.nppaa@krik.