ANA Advises the Government
On a routine basis, ANA policy experts analyze proposed federal government policies, procedures, regulations, and rules that affect nurses and the public. That analysis is then translated into comments that ANA provides during public comment periods to provide feedback to federal policymakers, including encouragement, suggestions, or criticism.
Particularly with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, ANA must be vigilant for any policy that could positively or negatively impact nursing, especially those that offer the chance to overcome longstanding barriers to optimal nursing practice. Here we've provided a repository of comments on PPACA rules, as well as other comments that ANA provides federal agencies on health care policies.
Related Resources
ANA believes nurse-led care coordination, inclusive leadership structures, and a continued focus on patient choice are key in creating the Accountable Care Organization. ANA urges CMS to include these aspects as they develop demonstration projects for this element of the ACA.
ANA joined 35 other nursing organizations to express support for the inclusion of nurse-managed health clinics (NMHCs) in the definition of “essential community provider” found in Section 1311(c)(1)(C) of the Affordable Care Act (Public Law No: 111-148) in the new state-based insurance exchanges established under the health reform law.
ANA supported the HHS rules on preventive services that will be required by law to be at no cost to the insurance customer. Covered services include any ACIP recommended immunization, and any USPSTF A or B graded service. ANA pointed out one potential problem with the billing practices for these services.
In its yearly update of payment regulations and rules for home care delivery, ANA urged CMS to consider the ability of APRNs to delivery care autonomously. ANA also urged CMS to allow APRNs to certify for both home care and hospice care.
ANA offered comments on HHS' proposed
modifications to implement recent
statutory amendments under the Health
Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (‘‘the HITECH Act’’ or ‘‘the Act’’), to strengthen the privacy and security protection of health information, and to improve the workability and effectiveness of these HIPAA Rules.
The ANA advised CMS to support more realistic direct supervision requirements, offered support for inclusion of preventive services, offered support for NQF measures as part of HOP QDRP, and encourage mandatory quality reporting for ambulatory surgical centers.
ANA concentrated on the inclusion of APRNs in many elements and services that are on the reimbursement schedule for Medicare Part B. (Proposed rules related to Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act).