U.S. Senator Susan Collins today was presented with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners “Legislator of the Year Award” by 18 Maine nurse practitioners, who traveled to Washington DC to meet with Senator Collins and present her with the award. Senator Collins received the award for her continued support of nurses and their patients.
The Maine nurses commended Senator Collins for her legislative accomplishments, including recent legislation she drafted that would ensure improved access to home health services to those receiving care under Medicare. Senator Collins’ Home Health Planning Improvement Act which would enable nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified nurse midwives and clinical nurse specialists to certify or initiate home health services for their Medicare patients to ensure that seniors and disabled citizens have timely access to home health services under Medicare.
In recognition of her efforts, Senator Collins has also been recognized with a Public Service Award from the Americans for Nursing Shortages Relief in 2005 and as a AFriend of Nursing@ by the University of Maine/Husson College Omicron XI chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society of nursing.