As the nation’s most extensive social legislation in 40 years, there’s no doubt the healthcare reform bill signed into law this past March is a huge deal for many Americans. Yet amidst the media frenzy surrounding the uninsured, pre-existing conditions, and those in opposition of reform, the impact this new legislation has on the nursing profession shouldn’t get lost in the shuffle. After all, we are the largest single group of clinical healthcare professionals in the country!
To help you make sense of what the bill means for nurses in the near future and beyond, it’s important to remember that the American Nurses Association (ANA) has been championing healthcare reform for the past 20 years. Clearly, the need for change has been a long time coming, and while specific issues under the umbrella of healthcare reform continue to inspire lively and necessary debate, we as nurses must learn to adapt to the changes on our doorstep.
Perhaps the most sweeping changes reside in patient care – namely, the fact that patients will now have greater protection against losing or being denied coverage while also having better access to primary care and prevention programs. At a purely ethical level, nurses will be pleased to know that their care will now reach a much wider audience and that their positive impact on the lives of millions more is now possible.
To that end, the new healthcare bill includes key legislation that seeks to expand the nursing workforce by amending the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs. It stands to reason that our numbers must increase as the number of patients we treat also rises. Quite simply, this means more job opportunities for current and future nurses – and with a bigger voice – even more change for the better becomes possible. Furthermore, more aid to nursing programs means more nurses will be directed to areas of greater need, including departments of public health and community health centers.
Next, the healthcare reform bill recognizes the importance of advanced practice registered nurses and their essential role in ensuring primary care. The bill increases reimbursement for nurse midwives and recognizes nurse practitioners as leaders of medical home coordinated care models. The support given to nurse-managed health centers also sees positive support and new guidelines within the framework of the bill.
To truly understand the impact of the new healthcare reform bill, we also urge you to click here to read the ANA’s comprehensive rundown and explanations of ALL the legislation that directly affects nurses.
Ultimately, as caregivers, our primary concerns lie in the quality of our service to patients. What works needs to be strengthened, what doesn’t needs to be done away with or revised for the better. Learning to adapt to these changes and making them work for us so that we can work for others is key to the bill’s success. Our representation in society is strong and our voice has been heard. Now let’s keep up the good work!
