ICAN Act would remove practice barriers for nurse practitioners
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) is championing a groundbreaking piece of legislation known as the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act. This ambitious legislation, introduced by a bipartisan group of senators and representatives, aims to broaden the scope of practice for nurse practitioners (NPs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), thereby improving healthcare access for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
AANP President Stephen A. Ferrara, DNP, highlighted the bill’s potential impact. “This legislation is a crucial step towards updating outdated policies that hinder timely access to patient care.” He emphasized that eliminating these barriers empowers nurse practitioners to deliver essential health services more efficiently and effectively. “NPs are vitally important in our healthcare system and removing these obstacles ensures patients receive the high-quality care they need, when they need it.”
The Role of Nurse Practitioners in Healthcare
NPs are highly skilled healthcare providers, contributing significantly to the lives of millions. A growing number of Medicare beneficiaries—approximately 40%—receive care from nurse practitioners. NPs are also the most rapidly expanding group among Medicare providers. Despite their critical role, they face numerous barriers within the Medicare and Medicaid systems.
Breaking Down Barriers with the ICAN Act
The ICAN Act addresses this by removing outdated federal barriers that impede the delivery of patient care. If passed, the legislation will allow NPs to conduct a wider range of healthcare services, including:
- Order cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.
- Certify patients with diabetes for therapeutic shoes.
- Increase their inclusion in the beneficiary attribution process for the Medicare Shared Savings Program.
- Refer patients for medical nutrition therapy.
- Certify and recertify terminal illness for hospice eligibility.
- Perform all mandatory examinations in skilled nursing facilities.
Ferrara stressed the urgency of passing this legislation. “Constituents deserve to receive comprehensive, patient-centered care, and this bill is a vital step towards achieving that goal. It not only strengthens the healthcare workforce but also empowers providers to deliver care more efficiently.”
The Impact on Healthcare Policy and Workforce
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® is the largest professional membership organization representing NPs of all specialties. The association advocates on behalf of over 385,000 licensed NPs across the U.S. AANP’s mission is to promote excellence in practice, education, and research, while establishing standards that best serve patients and other healthcare consumers.
By supporting the ICAN Act, AANP aims to ensure that the healthcare system remains flexible and capable of adapting to changing patient needs. This strategy strengthens the workforce, enabling providers to deliver timely, high-quality, and cost-effective care to all Americans.
Conclusion
The ICAN Act represents a pivotal step towards modernizing healthcare policy and ensuring that patients have unhindered access to essential care. By removing barriers to practice for nurse practitioners, lawmakers can significantly enhance the quality and accessibility of Medicare and Medicaid services.
As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the ICAN Act stands as an important initiative in advancing patient-centered care. By supporting this legislation, we can ensure that more Americans receive the comprehensive, high-quality healthcare they deserve.
To locate an NP in your community, visit npfinder.com. For more information about NPs, explore aanp.org.
Your Thoughts on the ICAN Act
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