Providers of High-Quality Health Care
Every day nurse practitioners (NPs) assess patients; order, perform, supervise and interpret diagnostic and laboratory tests; make diagnoses; initiate and manage treatment including prescribing medication and non-pharmacologic treatments; coordinate care; and educate patients and their families. NPs are the providers of choice for millions of patients performing over a billion visits annually. Now is the time to ensure that the policies governing our nation’s health care system reflect who is providing care.
The Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act will modernize our health care system to ensure patients receive timely high-quality care from their chosen health care provider.
Over 65 million Americans depend on Medicare for their health needs. NPs are the largest and fastest-growing Medicare designated provider specialty and over 83% of nurse practitioners treat Medicare patients.
Authorizes NPs to order cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services
Authorizes NPs to certify their patients’ need for diabetic shoes and refer patients for medical nutrition therapy
Authorizes NPs to certify home infusion plans of care and patients’ need for hospice
Authorizes the removal of unnecessary barriers to practice in facilities streamlining care delivery
We urge Congress to pass the ICAN Act. This legislation will modernize our nation’s health care system, providing timely access to high quality care to patients.
Reports issued by the American Enterprise Institute, the Brookings Institution, World Health Organization, the Federal Trade Commission, the Bipartisan Policy Center and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under multiple administrations have all highlighted the positive impact of removing barriers confronted by NPs and their patients.
Additionally, the National Academy of Medicine’s Future of Nursing: 2020-2030 report recommends that “All organizations, including state and federal entities and employing organizations, should enable nurses to practice to the full extent of their education and training by removing barriers that prevent them from more fully addressing social needs and social determinants of health and by improving health care access, quality, and value. These barriers include regulatory and public and private payment limitations; restrictive policies and practices; and other legal, professional, and commercial impediments.”
Reports issued by the, American Enterprise Institute the Brookings Institution, World Health Organization, the Federal Trade Commission, the Bipartisan Policy Center and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under multiple administrations have all highlighted the positive impact of removing barriers confronted by NPs and their patients. Additionally, the National Academy of Medicine’s Future of Nursing: 2020-2030 report recommends that “All organizations, including state and federal entities and employing organizations, should enable nurses to practice to the full extent of their education and training by removing barriers that prevent them from more fully addressing social needs and social determinants of health and by improving health care access, quality, and value. These barriers include regulatory and public and private payment limitations; restrictive policies and practices; and other legal, professional, and commercial impediments.”