ANA Responds to the Trump Administration’s Executive Order Expanding Medicare Services

Silver Spring, MD – The Trump administration has issued an executive order that aims to expand health-related services for millions of Americans and eliminate burdensome regulatory requirements for providers in the Medicare program.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) is pleased that the Trump administration recognizes the value of  advanced practice registered nurses’ (APRNs) services to health care consumers and the Medicare program by proposing to:

• Eliminate excessive supervision requirements that prevent APRNs from delivering appropriate diagnosis and quality care.
• Provide equal pay for equal work, with Medicare reimbursing APRNS at the same level as physicians for the same procedures.
• Enable APRNs to practice to the full extent of their education and clinical training.

More than 60 million people rely on Medicare, including 22 million who have chosen to enroll in private plans, known as Medicare Advantage plans. Removing barriers to their care and expanding their choices are essential and is especially critical for patients in underserved populations and in rural areas. Often, APRNs are the sole providers of timely care and lifesaving treatment. The four APRN roles are Nurse Practitioner (NP), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNAs), and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).

The research and evidence are clear. Nurses consistently deliver exceptional care with high patient satisfaction. ANA supports meaningful action that empowers APRNs and all nurses to contribute fully to the patients they serve.

ANA looks forward to working with the Administration on the details of these policies and implementation through the regulatory process.