Nurse Practitioners voice support for legislation that will allow veterans timely access to health care

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 11, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the largest national professional membership organization for NPs of all specialties, applauds Senators Merkley (D-OR), Rounds (R-SD), Warner (D-VA) and Tillis (R-NC) for introducing The Veterans Health Care Staffing Improvement Act of 2015.  AANP and other advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) organizations are proud to support this legislation. Once enacted this legislation will help improve access to care for those seeking services through the VA by granting full practice authority to all APRNs working in the VA system. This will ensure that patients in the VA system have timely and direct access to the expert care provided by these health care professionals. 

Today 21 states and the District of Columbia have removed archaic barriers to NP practice, with numerous organizations calling for other states to do the same. Supporters include the Institute of Medicine, AARP, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Josiah Macey Foundation, the National Governors Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the Federal Trade Commission. With more than 205,000 NPs licensed in the country and more than 4,000 NPs practicing in the VA system, this is a no-nonsense, ready solution to providing health care for our veterans and their families. They deserve nothing less.

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 more than 205,000 NPs, including approximately 65,000 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®, the organization represents the interests of NPs as providers of high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive, patient-centered health care. For more information, visit aanp.org. To locate an NP in your area, visit npfinder.com.

SOURCE American Association of Nurse Practitioners

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