AHCA/NCAL supports bipartisan legislation, the I CAN Act, that would increase health care access and was recently reintroduced by Representatives Dave Joyce (OH-14), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Jen Kiggans (VA-02), and Lauren Underwood (IL-14) as well as Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY).
More specifically, the I CAN Act would remove remaining barriers in the Medicare and Medicaid programs that prevent Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) from practicing to the full extent of their education and clinical training. This bill does not expand scope of practice or impede upon state law. Rather, the bill simply ensures that the federal government honors state law, allowing Medicare and Medicaid patients in states where nurses have already been granted full practice authority to choose care from a nurse practitioner. Rep. Joyce’s press statement on this bill can be found here, and Senator Merkley’s press statement here.