AANP Responds to Second Article in Bloomberg News
This letter was sent to Bloomberg News on Nov. 26, 2024.
To the Editor:
The authors of the series “The Nurse Will See You Now” have again failed to write a balanced story by cherry picking negative information and failing to report the enormous contributions nurse practitioners (NPs) make to patient care.
The authors failed to include findings from more than 50 studies that definitively demonstrate that NPs in the United States provide high-quality primary, acute and specialty health care services across the lifespan and across a variety of diverse settings. A study of inpatient care titled “Value of Nurse Practitioner Inpatient Hospital Staffing” finds that having more NPs in hospitals has favorable effects on patient outcomes, registered nurse job satisfaction and efficiency. Moreover, as highlighted by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) in our last Letter To the Editor, the authors also fail to cite many leading health care experts and health policy leaders that have actually evaluated the evidence on NP care and have recommended removing barriers that patients face when seeing NPs.
Further, the Bloomberg Editorial Board recognized the value of NPs with its article, published on Oct. 15, 2024, titled “Simple Economics Can Help Cut Health Care Costs” which reported that NPs provide vital contributions to our nation’s health care system. The Editorial Board went on to lay out the benefits of removing outdated laws that restrict patient access to NP-delivered care, further noting the savings and improved care that would result from allowing NPs to practice to the full extent of their education and preparation — a position AANP has long championed.
We implore Bloomberg to utilize the body of evidence and recognize solutions that enhance access to safe, high-quality care rather than vilify a dedicated profession. If similar investigative reporting were applied to other health care professionals, equally sensational headlines could be constructed. Nurse practitioners are critical to the future of health care and remain steadfast in their commitment to safe, quality and compassionate care for all.
Stephen A. Ferrara, DNP
President, American Association of Nurse Practitioners