With the Super Committee’s draft proposal rumored to be released in the very near future, most legislation has been in a holding pattern. Although this has been the case, ANA has been continuing to push Congress, specifically the Super Committee to include the bipartisan “Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2011” (H.R. 2267/S.227) in their proposal. With an anticipated cost savings of $309 million over ten years for Medicare, ANA strongly believes that this legislation will improve access to essential health care services for patients, while helping to control Medicare spending.

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ANA held a Congressional briefing on September 27 on Capitol Hill, urging lawmakers to support the bipartisan “Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2011” (H.R. 2267/ S.227). The legislation would remove a federal barrier to practice in Medicare by ensuring that APRNs and PAs can sign home health plans – current law puts an undue burden on the patient, leading to delays in home health services and increased costs for patients. During the briefing ANA also highlighted compelling results from a new study that found implementation of the law will lead to a cost savings of $309 million over ten years for Medicare.

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On Wednesday, September 28th over one thousand nurses from all across the country took part in ANA’s first ever Home Health Virtual Lobby Day. Hundreds of emails, letters and phone calls were made to members of Congress by their nurse constituents urging them to support legislation that will remove a barrier to practice in Medicare by ensuring APRNs can sign home health plans of care. The feedback has been positive and already we’re starting to see results as members of Congress continue to sign on as co-sponsors to this important legislation.

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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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