Nurse Practitioners Respond to New Version of American Health Care Act

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As lawmakers continue to consider modifications to H.R.1628, the American Health Care Act of 2017 (AHCA), the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) released the following statement.

"While we applaud Congress and the Administration for their commitment to improving health care in America, we urge congressional leaders to seek solutions that will preserve access to health care for all Americans." said Cindy Cooke, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP, President, American Association of Nurse Practitioners. "We ask that policymakers take a measured approach and continue to work to make certain that any final legislation ensures patient access to Medicaid, Medicare and other programs which cover the cost of their care. Three of four nurse practitioners (NPs) currently treat Medicare beneficiaries and 78 percent of NPs see Medicaid patients. We know the devastating impact such a loss of health care coverage would have on these vulnerable populations and the overall cost of health care in America. Congress and the Administration should work to find a solution that protects affordable coverage regardless of preexisting conditions, upholds the principles of essential benefits, safeguards patients' access to the health care provider of their choice – including nurse practitioners, strengthens the health care workforce and brings greater efficiency to the health care system."

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 222,000 licensed NPs in the U.S. AANP membership includes more than 74,000 individual members and 200 organizations. 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 NP 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 a nurse practitioner in your community, go to npfinder.com. For more information about NPs, visit aanp.org.

SOURCE American Association of Nurse Practitioners

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