Crossing Borders and Health Policies

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) are increasingly exposed to challenges that hinder their future success in the healthcare field. Several obstacles this profession is presented with range from a misunderstanding of their role to the struggles of Medicare reimbursements. Practicing across state borders is also a continuous dilemma that demands pivotal actions from the government regarding titling and health policies. While the ambiguous state laws maintain an undecided status concerning the accountabilities of an APRN, this essay will support the legal concerns in pursuit of APRN uniformity across state borders and the proper health policy regarding Medicare reimbursement.

Federal legislation focuses primarily on legal concerns regarding the role of the APRN across states. The nonexistence of a clearly defined APRN title and documented responsibilities affect the degree in which APRN perform within their specialized field across state borders. Developing statues explicitly revealing a uniform and broad standard of practice will allow APRNs to execute their stipulated responsibilities without the impediment that boundaries currently provide (Hamric, 2014, p. 573). A law that eradicates these restrictions demands specific requirements to nurse titling. Particularly, APRN will be required to possess a nationwide certification exemplifying national credentials. As a result, professionals with an APRN title will be granted access to practice across jurisdictions. Exterminating the boundaries prohibiting the practice of APRN across borders expands their educational opportunities and offers a promising future.

The bill to actualize the regulations is required to withstand a process of legalization through the House of Representatives. Therefore, having a voice or being integrated as a council supporting and advocating for improvements in the specialization of APRNs is more likely to influence the House of Representatives towards the conceptualization of deferring nursing titles and requirements. The National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP) influences the House of Representatives on decisions on titling programs (Hamric, 2014, p. 588). Incorporating individuals such as those in the NACNEP in the legal issues of APRN credentialing, Medicaid, and Medicare reimbursements offers a positive perspective on the credentialing requirements following the state boundary issues.

The Senate is continually presented with healthcare issues regarding the APRN. The numerous titles and accountabilities of the APRN have constituted a legal concern that requires floor action. Specifically, the parameters and boundaries for the reimbursement of Medicare and Medicaid is an ambiguous federal matter revolving the field of nursing (Hamric, 2014, p. 567). Moreover, the explicit definition of the APRN and the required qualifications generates an unremitting challenge for APRN’s to establish a level of authority and seek Medicare reimbursement (Hamric, 2014, p. 567). To initiate a solution to the problems previously stated, Congress has developed a team of advisors to solely focus on the demands and legal concerns brought forth by Medicare.

A basic presentation of the legal concerns with regards to APRN equality beyond the state border was comprised in this essay. The legal concerns with health policy were addressed in the difficulty APRN experience with Medicare reimbursement. Obstacles that interfere with the professional advancement of APRNs were elucidated, as well as actions taken by the Legislative Branch and Congress. Particularly, the role of being associated with an advisory board within the House of Representatives and the ability to influence legal decisions concerning APRNs was especially noted. Likewise, this essay provided a conceptualized understanding of the legal complications concerning titling and health care, as it involves the Legislative Branch, the House of Representatives, and the Senate.

Reference

Hamric, A. B. (2014). Understanding regulatory, legal, and credentialing requirements: Health policy issues in changing environments. In Advanced Practice Nursing: An Integrative Approach (5th ed., pp. 567, 573, 588). St. Louis (Missouri): Elsevier.