S.575 - Improving Care and Access to Nurses Act; I CAN Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.575, the "Improving Care and Access to Nurses Act" or the "I CAN Act," aims to amend Titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to enhance access to services provided by advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) under Medicare and Medicaid. The bill seeks to remove barriers to practice for nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and certified nurse-midwives. It addresses various aspects of healthcare delivery, including cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, diabetes care, hospice services, skilled nursing facilities, and home healthcare.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is increased autonomy and scope of practice for APRNs within the Medicare and Medicaid systems. This could lead to greater access to healthcare services, particularly in underserved areas, and potentially reduce healthcare costs by utilizing APRNs more efficiently. The bill also aims to streamline care delivery and update regulations to reflect the evolving roles of APRNs in the healthcare landscape.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Access to Care: By allowing APRNs to provide a wider range of services, the bill could improve access to healthcare, especially in rural or underserved areas where physician shortages exist.
- Cost Savings: Utilizing APRNs for certain services may be more cost-effective than relying solely on physicians, potentially leading to savings for the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
- Improved Efficiency: Streamlining care delivery in skilled nursing facilities and other settings could lead to more efficient healthcare services and better patient outcomes.
- Modernization of Regulations: Updating regulations to reflect the current scope of practice of APRNs ensures that healthcare policies are in line with the capabilities of these professionals.
- Support for Advanced Practice Nursing: The bill recognizes the value and expertise of APRNs, promoting their role in the healthcare system and encouraging more individuals to pursue careers in advanced practice nursing.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Fragmentation of Care: If APRNs operate too independently, it could lead to fragmentation of care and a lack of coordination with other healthcare providers.
- Concerns about Quality of Care: Some may argue that expanding the scope of practice for APRNs without adequate oversight could compromise the quality of care, although APRNs are nationally certified and state licensed.
- Resistance from Physician Groups: Physician organizations may resist the expansion of APRN scope of practice, leading to political challenges and implementation hurdles.
- Increased Costs in Some Areas: While the bill aims to reduce costs, some provisions, such as the special payment rule for teaching student registered nurse anesthetists, could potentially increase costs in certain areas.
- Complexity of Implementation: The bill includes numerous provisions that require regulatory changes and updates, which could be complex and time-consuming to implement effectively.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill primarily addresses healthcare policy and the scope of practice for healthcare professionals within federal healthcare programs. While the Constitution does not explicitly address healthcare, the expansion of healthcare access could be argued to align with the general welfare clause of the Preamble. Additionally, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, which could be relevant to the extent that the bill impacts state regulation of healthcare professions.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).