ANA Policy Recommendations to Key Nursing Advisory Council Continue to Underscore the Urgency for Equitable Reimbursement of Nursing Care
MEDIA CONTACT: Newsroom@ana.org
SILVER SPRING, MD – The American Nurses Association (ANA) is pleased that the National Advisory Council on Nursing Education and Practice (NACNEP) at the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) has overwhelmingly agreed to include the association’s recommendations on achieving equitable reimbursement of nursing care in their upcoming 20th report to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Congress. NACNEP’s report will advise and provide recommendations on policy matters relating to nursing education, nursing practice improvement and the nursing workforce.
ANA’s comments to NACNEP emphasize and underscore the association’s national efforts to achieve equitable reimbursement of nursing care.Some recommendations in NACNEP’s report that ANA is glad to see include:
- Fund direct reimbursement demonstration projects that quantify the impact of nursing care on quality patient outcomes.
- Create sustainable academic-practice partnerships across environments of care that result in data-based demonstration projects supporting transition to practice and retention of a diverse nursing workforce.
- Incentivize institutions receiving Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) funding to establish nursing academic-practice partnerships that demonstrate improved patient outcomes.
- Remove practice barriers to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
The work of NACNEP is critical to advancing policy that bolsters the nursing workforce. ANA thanks all members of NACNEP for their thoughtful and innovative approach and stands ready to work with policymakers on many key recommendations. The final report is slated for release later this year.
The topic of pay transparency and reimbursement of nursing care is part of the forward thinking and workable strategies that ANA along with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Nurses Foundation (the Foundation) is leading to elevate the value of nurses. This work includes allowing advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to bill Medicare and Medicaid for services provided to patients and supporting the full authority for nurses to practice at the top of their license and credentials.
On May 14, 2024, ANA, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA), the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), and the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) hosted a congressional briefing focused on the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act (HR 2713/S.2418). ICAN removes administrative, practice and other barriers currently faced by APRNs and their patients under federal law. On April 16, 2024, the American Nurses Association Enterprise Institute for Nursing Research and Quality Management convened experts and policy influencers for a summit focusing on redefining the economic value of nursing. A feedback form is currently open for thoughts, insights, ideas, or comments to keep the conversation moving forward.
To be effective at key tables on behalf of nurses, it is critical to understand the economic analysis and point of view that aligns with sustainable solutions, such as modernized provider payments that reflect the actual value of nursing care. ANA, ANCC and the Foundation will continue ongoing updates and announcements about these and other critical efforts underway. Please continue to stay connected via nursingworld.org and on ANA’s social media channels.
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About the American Nurses Association
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation's more than 4 million registered nurses. ANA advances the profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all. For more information, visit www.nursingworld.org.
About American Nurses Foundation
American Nurses Foundation is the charitable and philanthropic arm of the American Nurses Association (ANA), with the mission to transform the nation’s health through the power of nursing. The Foundation supports research, education, and scholarships, which improve health, wellness, and patient care. For more information visit www.nursingworld.org/foundation.
About the American Nurses Credentialing Center
The mission of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association, is to promote excellence in nursing and health care globally through credentialing programs. ANCC's internationally renowned credentialing programs certify and recognize individual nurses in specialty practice areas. ANCC recognizes health care organizations that promote nursing excellence and quality patient outcomes while providing safe, positive work environments. In addition, ANCC accredits health care organizations that provide and approve continuing nursing education and accredits transition-to-practice programs that prepare nurses for new practice roles. For more information about ANCC, visit us at nursingworld.org/ANCC and follow us on Twitter. ANCC is the only nurse credentialing organization to successfully achieve ISO 9001: 2015 certification.