A Note from Your VCNP President
As I shared in our fall newsletter, VCNP recently created a membership video to reach students and non-members and highlight our amazing organization. The video was shared at the VNA fall conference and will be used for future membership and public relations efforts. If you haven’t seen the video, please take a few minutes to do so – and then share with your non-member NP colleagues and encourage them to join VCNP! 
Update on Anthem’s reduced reimbursement rates
Last month we shared information about how Anthem is lowering reimbursement rates for NPs and PAs to 85%. VCNP is partnering with other advanced practice provider organizations around Virginia to share our concerns with Governor Northam and raise awareness with legislators and Virginia’s citizens. I shared my concerns in a recent Richmond Times-Dispatch letter to the editor.
VCNP’s president-elect Olivia Newby took her opinions to the Virginian-Pilot with her own letter to the editor.
If you’d like to submit a letter to your local paper, please contact staff so they can track submissions. They can also share some key messages if you need assistance.
We recognize that reduced reimbursement rates will impact many of us, but we need specific examples of how this will impact you. We will share these stories with Virginia’s legislators, the media and Virginia’s citizens as we work to try to resolve this issue. Please let us know if you’d prefer to share your stories anonymously.

PPE distribution
Based on feedback from a recent PPE survey, the Virginia Center for Health Innovation shared the results with the Governor’s Task Force on Primary Care and was able to secure a one-time PPE distribution for each of Virginia’s primary care clinicians who are experiencing difficulty securing these items through other sources.

Each clinician is eligible to receive 10 N95 masks as well as an allotment of surgical masks, level 1 patient isolation gowns and nitrile gloves. Supplies are provided at no cost, but clinicians are asked to pay for shipping. Requests must be made by 5 pm on October 20.
Thanks to VCNP past president, HoChong Gilles, who serves on the Governor’s Task Force on Primary Care.

Update on EO 57 and autonomous practice requirements
Budget language Item 309 #1h, which seeks to add language to the budget bill extending Executive Order 57, has been added to the budget and is awaiting a vote.
Thanks to Delegate Dawn Adams for introducing this budget language.

EO 57 allows NPs with two or more years of clinical experience to practice without a written or electronic practice agreement until the termination of the declared COVID-19 public emergency – but it expired in September. Until the budget language passes, NPs must practice under the current law that allows NPs with five or more years of clinical experience to apply for autonomous practice licensure before practicing without a collaborative agreement.
If you meet the requirements, please apply!
If you have questions or need assistance with the application process, contact vcnp@vcnp.net.
Racism and health disparities - free virtual webinars
Join clinical experts, thought leaders and advocates for a collaborative discussion on the issues of health disparities, structural racism and medicine as they examine specific dermatologic diseases in a series of four free and open educational webinars. Register for one or all four – October 28, November 12, November 18 and December 2.
Free rides for flu shots
VCNP is partnering with more than 60 organizations to encourage Virginians to get flu shots this year. Help encourage your patients with this special offer from Lyft – ride credits for people traveling to get flu shots. Use code VAFIGHTSFLU. Credits valid through December 31.
Support VCNP’s PAC
In less than three weeks, Virginians will head to the polls to elect new leaders. To ensure that Virginia’s legislators continue hearing from NPs, we need your help! Please consider making a one-time or recurring monthly donation to VCNP’s PAC.
Share your stories during National NP Week
National NP Week will be recognized November 8-14. During that week and throughout November, we’d like to recognize the reasons why you chose to become an NP and what you love about our profession. In honor of Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11), we also want to recognize our active and retired veterans. Please share your brief thoughts (and photo) with us before October 22 so we can include you in our communications.
I’m honored to represent Virginia’s nurse practitioners as VCNP’s president. Despite the challenges of this year, NPs have risen to the occasion and shown why 2020 has been designated as the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. I welcome your comments, questions and feedback about how VCNP can be a resource for you. Thank you for your commitment to your patients and our profession.
Becky Compton, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
President, VCNP Board of Directors