VA's Plan to Lift NP Restrictions - Add your voice

Add Your Voice to the Debate
Over VA's Plan to Lift NP Restrictions

https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=VA-2016-VHA-0011

The Department of Veterans Affairs aims to expand the scope of practice of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who work for the agency in order to provide veterans with greater and timely access to care.

Under a proposed rule published May 25 in the Federal Register, the VA said it intends to expand the pool of qualified healthcare professionals who are authorized to provide primary healthcare and other services to the full extent of their education and abilities without the clinical supervision of physicians. If finalized, the rule would make the Veterans Health Administration consistent with the U.S. military service branches, which allow APRNs to practice without direct physician supervision

As expected, the proposal has spurred protest among those in the physician's community and is the latest battleground in their efforts to stave off implementation of full practice authority for nurse practitioners. The proposed rule provides a comment period of sixty (60) days. Nurse practitioners are strongly encouraged to submit a comment in support of the proposal by the deadline of July 25.

https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=VA-2016-VHA-0011