Brownback says immigrant nurses needed here

Sam Brownback links(NYT) U.S. Plan to Lure Nurses May Hurt Poor Nations: As the United States runs short of nurses, senators are looking abroad. A little-noticed provision in their immigration bill would throw open the gate to nurses and, some fear, drain them from the world’s developing countries. The legislation is expected to pass this week, and the Senate provision, which removes the limit on the number of nurses who can immigrate, has been largely overlooked in the emotional debate over illegal immigration. Senator Sam Brownback, Republican of Kansas, who sponsored the proposal, said it was needed to help the United States cope with a growing nursing shortage.(Des Moines Register) Harkin backs bill allowing illegal immigrants to stay legally: Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Ia., pushed for a proposal today that would have allowed anyone who entered the United States illegally prior to Jan. 1 to apply for legal status. However, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Tex., said it would be the equivalent of saying “we throw our hands up and say we can’t enforce the law.” Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, said it would destroy a “delicate compromise” reached in the Senate.Pat Roberts links(AP) CIA pick clears Senate panel: Gen. Michael Hayden moved a step closer Tuesday to becoming the nation’s 20th CIA chief. He would take over a spy agency looking for a leader to steer it through troubles ranging from al-Qaida to Washington politics. The Senate Intelligence Committee recommended confirmation, 12-3, with three of the panel’s seven Democrats voting against Hayden. If the full Senate approves him before Memorial Day, as expected, Hayden could be sworn in by the end of the week. “We think he is an outstanding choice to head the CIA,” committee chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., said after the vote. “He is a proven leader and a supremely qualified intelligence professional.”Misc.(Wichita Eagle) Your blind spot can kill: Every vehicle has blind spots — those areas drivers simply can’t see even when properly using mirrors and windows to see what’s in the area. With many of the vehicles on the road today, Wichita Police Lt. Paul Moser said, “you can’t see anything below the back window or inside the bumpers.” Kids and Cars is recruiting congressional support for the Cameron Gulbransen Kids and Cars Safety Act, which would require the federal Department of Transportation to establish rear visibility standards. No such standards currently exist, Fennell said. Sen. Pat Roberts is a co-sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, which is named after a New York toddler whose father backed over him with the family SUV. Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Lenexa, is a co-sponsor of the House version. Fennell said she would like every member of the Kansas delegation to sign on as sponsors.(Wichita Eagle) Pharmacists: Plan needs fix: Druggists met with lawmakers about what to do about slow insurance payments they say are hurting their businesses. Reps. Jerry Moran, R-Hays, and Dennis Moore, D-Lenexa, called for lawmakers to support a bill requiring speedier payments. “The only thing that’s worse than not getting paid to cover your costs is to not be paid at all,” Moran said. “That’s what we’re experiencing.” Moran and Moore, who both voted against the Medicare drug bill, and Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, who voted for it, all said they support the pharmacy fix. A bill that Moran and Moore are co-sponsoring would require Medicare drug plan providers to offer electronic direct deposit of reimbursements to participating pharmacies. It would then require electronic claims to be paid within 14 days, and all other claims within 30 days.How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation here.