Federal Issue Briefs
Informing NPs on Health Policy, Sharing the NP Perspective
Your voice matters—not just to your patients, but also to health care leaders and legislators on Capitol Hill. AANP is committed to amplifying your voice by offering information and tools that empower you to share your unique perspective and expertise as an NP directly with policymakers.
The following Issue Briefs were created for the 2019 AANP Health Policy Conference held February 3–5, 2019, in Washington, D.C.
Improve Medicare Patient Access to Home Health Services
NPs are currently unable to document face-to-face patient assessments and certify home health care plans of care for their patients. Learn why AANP calls on Congress to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act.
Improve Medicare Patient Access to Needed Diabetic Shoes
NPs must currently send their diabetic patients who need therapeutic shoes to a physician to certify that need. See why AANP calls on Congress to support improving diabetic patients’ access to NP care.
Recognize Nurse Practitioner Practices as Medicare Shared Savings Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs)
Medicare beneficiaries who receive their primary care services from NPs are currently prevented from being assigned to ACOs in the Medicare Shared Savings program. Discover why AANP calls on Congress to improve the way beneficiaries are assigned under this program.
Improve Medicare Patient Access to Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
NPs are clinically trained to provide care to cardiac and pulmonary patients, however under current law, the NP must refer the patient to a physician to order cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services, and a physician must supervise these services until the BBA authorization for NPs supervision begins in 2024. See why Congress should expediate the BBA’s authorization for NPs to order and provide supervision beginning in 2020.
Improve Patient Access to Medicare Skilled Nursing Care
For more than 25 years, NPs have been authorized to provide Medicare services to residents of long-term care facilities. Explore why NPs should be authorized to perform admitting examinations and monthly patient assessments in skilled nursing facilities.
Remove Barriers to Nurse Practitioners’ Ability to Practice
NPs are limited in their ability to practice to the full extent of their education and training in many instances. Learn why AANP calls on Congress and CMS to update and revise statutes and regulations to ensure patient access to NP services.
Enable Nurse Practitioners to Participate Fully as Members of Hospital Medical Staffs
While NPs may currently be considered for appointment to medical staffs and granting of clinical privileges, they are not ensured objective, timely evaluation or the right to appeal. See why AANP supports legislation to reform the Medicare statute and hospital conditions of participation to provide non-discriminatory guidance for evaluation.
Improve Patient Access to Medicare Hospice Services
NPs are currently still unable to provide the initial certification of patients for hospice care. Discover why AANP urges Congress to remedy this problem and improve Medicare beneficiaries’ access to hospice care.
Federal Policy Priorities
Learn AANP’s 2019 Federal Policy Priorities, shaped by clinical experience and informed by evidence from members and stakeholders alike.