U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Final Rule
Veterans Gain Better Access to Care
On December 14, 2016, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule granting veterans direct access to care by nurse practitioners (NPs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs) and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) who work in the VA health system.
This proposal (RIN: 2900-AP44 – Proposed Rule – Advanced Practice Registered Nurses [81 Fed. Reg. 33155, May 25, 2016]) authorizes NPs to practice to the top of their education and preparation without physician supervision in all areas of practice with the exception of prescribing controlled drugs, which remains under the authority of the federal Controlled Substances Act.
AANP applauds this move to provide our nation's veterans with direct access to the health care services of NPs and other APRNs and encourages the VA to include our CRNA colleagues.
Thanks to your unprecedented response, The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner® was heard loud and clear!
Television Spot
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AANP’s Response
- Letter | VA Right to Expand Access to NPs: Courier-Journal.com (June 12, 2016)
- Nurse Practitioners Respond to Critics - NPs Make Case for Wisdom of VA Decision: MedPageToday (June 10, 2016)
- Letter to the Editor: AANP President Responds to 'Physicians Take Issue With VA's Proposed Rule for APRNs to Work to Top of License' : Becker's Hospital Review (June 13, 2016)
- Scope of Practice: How Can We Expand Access to Care?: POLITICO (June 20, 2016)
- AANP Responds to VA Plan for Independent Advanced Practice RNs: Medscape.com (July 6, 2016)
- VA Proposal Would Cut Wait Lists: TampaBay.com (July 11, 2016)
- Proposed VA Rule Change Could Decrease Wait Times for Patient Care: WESA.fm (July 13, 2016)
- Proposal Giving Veterans Direct Access to APRNs Needed to Cut Backlog: TheHill.com (July 20, 2016)
- Why I Support the VA Proposal, the Perspective of a Nurse Practitioner and Veteran: TheHill.com (July 21, 2016)
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Resources
- Proposed Rule.
- Advocates Urge Support for VA Proposed Rule on APRNs: FierceHealthcare.com (June 28, 2016).
- Nurses Speak Out in Favor of VA Proposal (login required): MedPageToday.com (June 29, 2016).
- Veterans Access to Quality Care Alliance Coalition Press Briefing.
- Nurse Practitioners Launch Ad Blitz to Lift VA Hurdle: Forbes.com (July 5, 2016).
- Adversations in Support of the VA's Proposed Rule Related to APRNs.
- APRNs vs Physicians: Outcomes, Quality and Effectiveness of Care According to the Evidence (login required): Medscape.com (July 12, 2016).
- Veterans Affairs Battle Builds Over Plan to Expand Nurses’ Roles: DenverPost.com (July 20, 2016).
- FTC Staff Supports Department of Veterans Affairs Proposed Rule To Grant Full Practice Authority to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses: FTC.gov (July 25, 2016).
- Letter: Rule Change Could Improve Veterans' Care: Fredericksburg.com (July 31, 2016).
- Should Nurses Be Allowed to Work Like Doctors at the VA?: IJPR.org (August 8, 2016).
- The VA Wants to Give Advanced Nurses More Autonomy: Americanhomefront.wunc.org (August 3, 2016).
- Helping Veteran’s Health: Send in the Nurse Practitioners: RealClearHealth.com (September 19, 2016).
- Final Rule (December 14, 2016).
“I spent 36 years in the Navy, and I know how much we have influenced health care in the military and the VA. I am absolutely astounded at the contribution that nurse practitioners have made. I would encourage everybody to understand that we are dedicated to putting the patient in the middle and working in collaboration with that patient for the best outcomes.”
—Lisa B., PhD, CNP, FACHE, FAANP, FAAN
Ohio
Member since 1998