Today’s political and budgetary climate is an extremely challenging one in which to gain additional funding for any program. External considerations include an economic downturn and projected budget deficits of over $400 billion for both fiscal year 2003 and 2004. Yet the Senate recently passed an $87 billion supplemental appropriations bill for occupation and reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan.

The legislation listed below is important to us and our work. Please follow the progress of these bills through the congressional process.

• Allied Health Reinvestment Act – an innovative approach to remedying allied health workforce problems – bill in preparation for introduction to House of Representatives, companion bill for U.S. Senate being developed.

• Clinical Laboratory Practice Act – will assure New York State licensure – passed in NY State Senate in June 2003 – now in Assembly.

• Expansion of the Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Bill to include cardiovascular services (in addition to diabetes and kidney disease) – in U.S. Senate.

• Scope of Practice – a framework for, and protection of, the scope of practice of the registered dietitian to provide services to consumers – needs to go to NY State Senate and Assembly.

• Nursing legislation pending – Bills are now being considered in New York State which seek to ensure workplace safety, establish safe staffing patterns, disclose nurse-to-patient staffing patterns and protect the title of ‘nurse’, prohibit mandatory overtime, encourage continued competency, increase the supply of nurses and protect the scope of nursing practice.

• Allied Health Reinvestment Act – an innovative approach to remedying allied health workforce problems – bill in preparation for introduction to House of Representatives, companion bill for U.S. Senate being developed.

• Consumer Assurance of Radiologic Excellence – requires basic education and certification standards for radiologic technologists– in U.S. Senate.