AANP Supports Legislation Strengthening Patient Access to Health Care

ICAN Act would remove practice barriers for nurse practitioners

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of Nurse Practitioners^® (AANP) announces its strong support for the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act. AANP thanks Senators Merkley (D-OR) and Lummis (R-WY), and Representatives Joyce (R-OH-14), Bonamici (D-OR-1), Kiggans (R-VA-2), Underwood (D-IL-14) and Rogers (R-AL-3) for introducing this bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House and Senate, which would improve health care access for Medicare and Medicaid patients and modernize the programs by removing barriers to practice for nurse practitioners (NPs) and other advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).

"This important legislation takes a necessary step toward modernizing outdated policies that limit patient access to timely care," said AANP President Stephen A. Ferrara, DNP. "Nurse practitioners are essential providers in our nation's health care system and removing these barriers ensures patients can receive the high-quality care they need—when and where they need it."

NPs provide high-quality health care to Medicare and Medicaid patients across all geographic areas and health care settings. Approximately 40% of Medicare beneficiaries receive care from NPs, and NPs are the fastest growing Medicare provider group. Yet, despite the essential health care NPs provide to Medicare and Medicaid patients, outdated barriers still exist within the programs that prevent the effective and efficient delivery of care.

The ICAN Act would increase access to health care services for patients across the country by removing outdated federal barriers to care. This bill would authorize NPs to order cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, certify when patients with diabetes need therapeutic shoes, fully include NPs' patients in the beneficiary attribution process for the Medicare Shared Savings Program, refer patients for medical nutrition therapy, certify and recertify a patient's terminal illness for hospice eligibility, perform all mandatory examinations in skilled nursing facilities and more.

"Now is the time for Congress to act," Ferrara added. "By passing the ICAN Act, lawmakers can help ensure Medicare and Medicaid patients receive the comprehensive, patient-centered care they deserve. This legislation strengthens the health care workforce and empowers providers to deliver care more efficiently."

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners^® (AANP) is the largest professional membership organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties. It represents the interests of the more than 385,000 licensed NPs in the U.S. AANP provides legislative leadership at the local, state and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting excellence in practice, education and research; and establishing standards that best serve NPs' patients and other health care consumers. As The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner^®, AANP represents the interests of NPs as providers of high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive, patient-centered health care. To locate an NP in your community, visit npfinder.com. For more information about NPs, visit aanp.org.

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SOURCE American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)