AANP Applauds Senate Introduction of ICAN Act

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) commends Sens. Merkley (D-OR) and Lummis (R-WY) for introducing the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act in the U.S. Senate.

This legislation would strengthen healthcare access for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries by removing federal barriers to practice for nurse practitioners (NPs) and other advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).

“Every day, nurse practitioners are striving to meet our country’s growing need for high-quality healthcare in all practice settings yet outdated federal barriers limit patient access to NP-provided care,” says AANP President Stephen Ferrara, DNP. “This important legislation will move our nation’s healthcare system toward one that more accurately reflects the modern healthcare workforce. It is vital that the millions of Medicare and Medicaid patients who choose NPs receive timely access to high-quality healthcare. AANP applauds the introduction of the ICAN Act by Senators Merkley and Lummis in the U.S. Senate, and we urge its swift passage by Congress.”

NPs are the fastest-growing Medicare provider group, and approximately 40% of Medicare beneficiaries receive NP-delivered care. The ICAN Act would improve timely access to care by authorizing NPs to order cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, certify when patients with diabetes need therapeutic shoes, have their patients fully included in the beneficiary attribution process for the Medicare Shared Savings Program, refer patients for medical nutrition therapy, certify and recertify a patient’s terminal illness for hospice eligibility, perform all mandatory examinations in skilled nursing facilities, and more.

AANP strongly supports the ICAN Act and efforts to modernize policies to ensure every American has timely access to high-quality healthcare from their chosen healthcare provider. Earlier this year, the House of Representatives introduced companion legislation that has garnered the support of more than 235 national, state, and local organizations.