Barriers to Nursing Practice are Shortchanging Consumers

By Joanne Handy, RN, MS
Member, AARP Board of Directors
President & CEO, Aging Services of California

We’ve finally cleared the monumental hurdle of passing health reform. More people will have access to the affordable coverage they desperately need. But how can we ensure that quality care is available to everyone when many providers were stretched to their limit before the law passed?

Unquestionably, nurses, especially advanced practice nurses, can provide much of the care we need. But first, statutory and regulatory barriers at the state and federal levels that prevent scores of nurses from practicing to the full extent of their licensure must be lifted. Who knows this better than nurses? Not enough people and that’s a problem.

As an outgoing board member for AARP, I’m delighted that our Board of Directors recently approved changes to increase AARP’s advocacy for nursing. Now we can direct more energy toward transforming state nursing laws.

What our board recognized – and what nurses and allied health professionals already knew – is that these laws are short-changing consumers. Ironically, the laws remain in place as the nation struggles with a major shortage of primary care providers.
 
People aren’t getting the total range of health services that should be available to them. They’re being deprived, especially when it comes to primary and chronic care management, simply because laws stand in the way. State legislatures should know it; and the public needs to know, too.

In 20 years, the entire U.S. population will increase by 20 percent. But the 65+ population will grow by 79 percent; and with it, the incidence of chronic illness. For years we’ve been asking, “Who will provide the care?” We’d be better equipped to answer if we untied the hands of the professionals trained and licensed to do the job.

As health reform finally becomes a reality, I’m excited that AARP is expanding its role on this issue. Our membership understands denial of coverage. They understand care that’s financially out of reach. They know what it means to have reduced or limited access to services. Addressing their needs and the increasing health care needs of the nation, calls for creative, sensible, effective strategies – stat.

Actually, changing our laws to unleash a critical tide of care providers where they’re needed most isn’t very creative. It’s not even a novel idea. It’s just plain, old common-sense with the potential for amazing results.