AANP Champions ICAN Act for Enhanced Access to Healthcare Services
AANP Champions ICAN Act for Enhanced Access to Healthcare Services
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) has recently voiced its strong support for the
Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act. This Act, which is garnering bipartisan support in both the U.S. House and Senate, aims to enhance healthcare accessibility by removing existing barriers that limit the scope of practice for nurse practitioners (NPs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
Background on ICAN Act
Introduced by Senators Merkley (D-OR) and Lummis (R-WY), alongside Representatives Joyce (R-OH-14), Bonamici (D-OR-1), Kiggans (R-VA-2), Underwood (D-IL-14), and Rogers (R-AL-3), the ICAN Act is poised to make significant strides in healthcare delivery for Medicare and Medicaid patients. Currently, approximately 40% of Medicare beneficiaries receive care from NPs, indicating a growing dependency on these healthcare providers.
Outdated Barriers
Despite the pivotal role NPs play in managing the health of Medicare and Medicaid patients, outdated regulations hinder their ability to deliver effective care. AANP President Stephen A. Ferrara, DNP, emphasized the necessity of modernizing these policies: “This important legislation takes a necessary step toward modernizing outdated policies that limit patient access to timely care.” By eliminating these barriers, the ICAN Act ensures that patients receive the quality healthcare they deserve, aligning the practice rights of NPs with contemporary healthcare demands.
Key Provisions of the ICAN Act
The proposed legislation focuses on several critical enhancements to NP practice, including but not limited to:
- - Enabling NPs to order cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation for patients, thus streamlining care delivery.
- - Authorizing NPs to certify when diabetic patients need therapeutic shoes, significantly impacting diabetic care management.
- - Integrating NP patients into the Medicare Shared Savings Program, allowing for a more inclusive approach to chronic disease management.
- - Referring patients for medical nutrition therapy, thus addressing essential facets of patient care.
- - Certifying and recertifying terminal illnesses critical for hospice eligibility, enhancing end-of-life care processes.
- - Conducting mandatory examinations in skilled nursing facilities, allowing NPs to oversee comprehensive patient assessments.
Advocacy for Patients' Rights
As AANP continues to advocate for the advancement of healthcare policies, Ferrara stressed, “Now is the time for Congress to act.” The bipartisan backing of the ICAN Act indicates a collective recognition of the increasing demand for efficient healthcare delivery. By stripping restrictive regulations, lawmakers have the opportunity to enhance the capabilities of NPs and significantly uplift the standard of care for Medicare and Medicaid patients.
AANP's Mission and Reach
The AANP stands as the leading professional organization representing nearly 385,000 licensed nurse practitioners across the United States. Their mission extends beyond advocacy; they aim to foster excellence in NP practice through educational initiatives, health policy advancement, and quality assurance practices. As The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner, AANP works tirelessly to ensure that NPs’ contributions to healthcare are recognized and that patients’ rights to comprehensive, patient-centered care are firmly upheld.
For further information on locating an NP in your area, visit npfinder.com, and to learn more about the work and mission of AANP, explore aanp.org.
As health policies evolve, the ICAN Act signifies hope for better healthcare access, reaffirming the essential role of nurse practitioners in modern healthcare.
Topics Health）
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