On Thursday, December 22, 2011, Karen Flad, PASNAP President, Nancy Kaminski, Legislative Chair and Morgan Plant, Legislative Consultant met with Jim Willshier, Director of Office of Government Relations at the Department of Education to discuss pending legislation that affects school nurses. Specifically, HB 1338 which deals with the administration of diabetes medication (insulin and glucagon) by non-medical school personnel, and HB 1980 which addresses Teacher and Non-teaching personnel evaluations.
With regard to the diabetes bill, PASNAP’s position is as follows: PASNAP and NASN believe that delegating emergency medical care to teachers or other staff who may have a rudimentary understanding of the medical issues, even with the training mandated in the legislation, may cause more harm than good. Karen demonstrated for Mr. Willshier the procedure for checking a glucose reading, drawing up insulin and use of an emergency glucagon kit. She also emphasized that there are different models of glucometers available, as well as different systems of administering insulin depending on the individual student’s orders. All in all, an assessment process that requires a high level of knowledge and training. Additionally, there is the concern that delegating these procedures to an unlicensed person goes against Pennsylvania’s Nurse Practice Act. Mr. Willshier stated that PDE has not taken a position on this bill and is still in the process of gathering information. This legislation was developed by the American Diabetes Association as a national initiative. It has already passed in some form in a variety of other states. If we are to stop it from being passed in Pennsylvania it is essential that legislators hear from school nurses and others concerned about the legislation, especially parents, who are willing to share their concerns about the potential for harm.
As to HB 1980 (professional evaluations), PASNAP states that the school nurses of PA oppose this bill in its current form because basing professional compensation on student performance has not been shown to be an accurate measure of professional employee’s performance. Many variables such as home environment, parental involvement, student intelligence, socio-economic status, diet, and exposure to controlled substances may affect student performance. As the bill is currently written 20 percent of a school nurses evaluation would be based on standardized test scores of students. PASNAP asked that the General Assembly not consider this bill before a statewide pilot program is completed and all results are given a careful review. Mr. Willshier stated that this bill is a priority of the Governor’s and they want to get it passed as soon as possible.
This is a good time to cultivate your relationship(s) with your local legislator(s) – please call, make an appointment or send a letter discussing your concerns about these bills. As always, be courteous, positive and make sure that the students are your focus – their health and safety is our primary concern.
 

Summary for Day on the Hill 2011
The Day on the Hill was a huge success.  Read all about it!!!

Click here to find your Legislative Representative .

Click on the date below for the Bill Tracking reports provided by Morgan Plant**
                          10-30-11     12-2011        1-6-2012    
             

Due to the format, you will only be able to view the bills of School Health interest, not track the bills progress