|
June 9, 2003
ANA Hails Introduction of Bill to Expand Access to Nurse Practitioners
Medicaid Nursing Incentive Act of 2003 would restore a previous federal
mandate
Washington, DC --The American Nurses Association (ANA) has commended
Congressman John W. Olver (D-MA) for introducing legislation that would
expand patient access to quality health care by requiring states to offer
Medicaid coverage for primary health-care services provided by advanced
practice registered nurses (APRNS). The Medicaid Nursing Incentive Act of
2003, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on June 3, would
eliminate the option that state Medicaid plans currently have of denying
APRNs as primary care case managers.
APRNs are registered nurses who have attained advanced education and
expertise and specialize in such medical fields as pediatrics,
anesthesiology, gerontology, neonatology and mental health. APRNs include
nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives
and certified registered nurse anesthetists. However, Medicaid plans in
many states currently recognize only physicians and do not cover primary
care services provided by APRNS. The proposed measure would help to
control Medicaid spending by offering Medicaid beneficiaries more and
often less-expensive primary-care provider options.
Upon introducing the proposed legislation, Olver noted that it would
particularly benefit rural and other medically underserved areas with a
shortage of physicians, where nurse practitioners are often more
accessible. "At a time when state Medicaid programs are in financial
crisis and doctors who accept Medicaid are overburdened, APRNs offer a
solution by providing high-quality, cost-effective care," he said.
ANA President Barbara Blakeney, MS, APRN,BC, ANP, agreed, noting that
"studies have shown that advanced practice registered nurses provide
cost-effective, high-quality care. In addition, APRNs are often willing to
provide care in rural and inner-city areas where access to care is
limited," she said. "The Medicaid
Nursing Incentive Act will ensure that Medicaid patients receive quality
care in a timely, cost-efficient manner."
The Medicaid Nursing Incentive Act of 2003 would restore a previous
federal mandate to cover the primary care services of pediatric nurse
practitioners, family nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives.
This mandate was eliminated by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which
encouraged states to move Medicaid recipients into managed care but
excluded APRNs as participants. The bill also proposes to expand Medicaid
fee-for-service coverage to include direct reimbursement for all nurse
practitioners and clinical nurse specialists (instead of only the family
practitioners, pediatric practitioners and midwives who are currently
covered). In addition, Medicaid managed care panels would be required to
recognize the specialized services of select APRNs - such as the pain
management services provided by nurse anesthetists and mental health
services provided by clinical nurse specialists - thus clarifying the
scope of providers required by managed care plans to specifically include
APRNs.
Blakeney noted particular satisfaction with the move to restore Medicaid
coverage for the case-management services of pediatric nurse
practitioners, family nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives.
"This is a just action that provides greater clarity and final restitution
for advanced practice nurses in these categories," she noted. "The ANA
commends Rep. Olver for introducing this much-needed legislation, and we
look forward to working with him to ensure its enactment."
# # #
|
