A Message from our WVNA President, Joyce Wilson on AMAP's (Approved Medication Assistive Personnel)

Dear WVNA Constituency, 

I have met with the lobbyist of the WV Health Care Association, and they have been working on the new AMAP bill (approved medication assistive personnel). The WV Health Care Association asked for the WVNA to work with them to develop collaborating language that would develop the law to help alleviate their critical nursing home staff shortage, protect RN's working in nursing homes and most importantly protect patients. 

If you recall, the AMAP bill passed both the WV House and the Senate two years ago but was vetoed by the governor.  There is little doubt that the bill is going to pass again, but this time the language is, as I said, protective of AMAP's, RN's and patients.  AMAPs are utilized in several other states to pass medications in nursing homes.  In WV they have been utilized for several years to pass medications in personal care homes and group homes.  My personal experience in working with AMAPs has been positive.  There are more restrictions as to what has to happen before an AMAP can pass medications in this current bill than in any other state, also, they cannot pass medications if the RN in charge feels that they are not properly trained.  Please read the bill and we invite your suggestions in the next few days (by 8 am, Friday, January 17th).  

As stated above, the AMAP bill passed once without our input, and it will no doubt pass again.  WVNA won't be able to stop the AMAP bill from passing into law, but we have been given a seat at the table, and they heard our concerns and have written a new version of the bill.  In working with the Health Care Association, one thing is clear; the best outcomes for the patients are priority one for all of us. 

I believe that WVNA should support this bill.  It is a House Bill, thus far it does not have a number because it has not been introduced.  Our Immediate Past President and Current Health Policy and Legislative Chair, Toni DiChiacchio or I will keep you apprised of the bill progress.  I believe we should support it, to demonstrate that we are team players, we can accept change as long as we are given a voice, and if our expertise is appreciated and utilized.  If we do not support the bill after two years of collecting data and reworking the language, years of building trust could collapse.  Probably the most important lesson that I have learned in being involved with the legislature and lobbying groups at our state's capital is that we need each other. 

This bill does several things;

• increases the value of the WVNA as the voice for nursing at the capital, they (the WV Health Care Association) understood that they should listen to us to get their bill passed,
• increases a collaborative relationship with the WV Health Care Association for future bills, 
• helps to alleviate a staffing shortage in nursing homes (gives RN's nationally certified AMAP's to assist with medication),
• protects everyone involved and
• helped to develop a strong foundation of trust between health care providers in this great state.  

Sincerely,

Joyce Wilson

WVNA President