There are so many ways in which healthcare policy can impact the APN profession. In last week’s discussion, the role that policy plays in what APN’s are legally allowed to practice was highlighted. Policies vary by state in whether or not they allow full practice authority for Nurse Practitioners, which ultimately affects the way that Nurse Practitioners are able to practice within those states. Legislative success, with the support of APNs led to expanded prescriptive authority for APNs in certain states as well as the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in the U.S. There are multiple current public policy issues within healthcare that effect Nurse Practitioner’s ability to provide safe and effective care. A few of these policy issues include the nursing shortage, sizable number of uninsured patients and their effect on the healthcare system, funding cuts for home care, reimbursement issues, and healthcare disparities (Schub & Strayer, 2018). Policy effects every aspect of healthcare and actually determines pay and reimbursement for services provided by APNs. Policies have a direct influence on the quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of care (Kostas-Polston & Thanavaro, 2015).
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