The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development programs, which are administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), are the primary source of federal funding for nursing education and workforce development. These programs bolster nursing education at all levels, from entry-level preparation through the development of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). They also prepare faculty to teach the nation’s future nursing workforce.

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On June 21, 2011, Representatives Greg Walden (R-OR) and Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) reintroduced the “Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2011” (H.R. 2267). This bipartisan legislation would allow advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) – nurse practitioners (NPs), clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), physician assistants (PAs) – to order home health services and meet the face-to-face requirement under Medicare in accordance with state law.

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We recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which became law on March 23, 2010. Although the Act is very long and complex, like many federal laws, the details are left up to federal agencies and departments – as well as the States – which must issue rules and other decisions to actually carry out its policies and create its programs. In addition, many ACA provisions build upon, change, or add to federal programs that are already in existence — especially Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP (the Children’s Health Insurance Program). Here is an update on what has been happening in federal agencies and departments, in recent actions to carry out the goals and provisions of ACA. To view ANA comments on these and other regulatory issues, please visit our website at http://www.nursingworld.org/comments.

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A new resource is available for Advanced Practice RNs (APRNs) who care for Medicare patients. “Medicare Information for Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants” is now available as a booklet from the Medicare Learning Network.® It contains information about required qualifications, coverage criteria, billing, and payment for Medicare services furnished by APRNs, as well as physician assistants and anesthesiologist assistants.

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Before Congress left for the campaign trail, Representative John Olver (D-MA), re-introduced the Medicaid Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants Access Act (H. R. 6373). This ANA-endorsed legislation would remove barriers that keep advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) from participating fully in state Medicaid Programs.

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The Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act (H.R. 4993) was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on April 13 by Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D-PA). The Home Health Planning and Improvement Act would allow physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and certified nurse midwives to order home health services under Medicare in accordance with state law.

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