The Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action is pleased that AARP is publicly endorsing the Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act, proposed bills that would help Medicare beneficiaries get care more quickly by allowing advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to do their jobs with less red tape.

As it is, people who rely on Medicare who seek home care services must get that need approved by a physician. If the House and Senate let the bills become law, APRNs—who are trained and educated to be able to give the approval without physician approval—would be allowed to do so directly. This effort to improve the public’s access to care through nursing is one of the Campaign goals as it seeks to implement Institute of Medicine recommendations.

For background and information, read the paper written by Campaign Senior Strategic Policy Adviser Andrea Brassard, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP, “Removing Barriers to APRN Care: Home Health and Hospice Services.”

Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act Endorsement Letter_115th Congress House

Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act Endorsement Letter_115th Congress Senate