Rural Health Transformation program may lead to more full-practice authority states

The Rural Health Transformation program could propel more states to enact full practice authority for nurse practitioners, according to American Association of Nurse Practitioners President Valerie Fuller, PhD, RN. Fuller said states applying for Rural Health Transformation program funding were eligible for more money if they permitted full practice authority for NPs. The Medicare Payment Advisory Committee says approximately two-thirds of rural Medicare patients receive primary care from an NP or physician assistant, underscoring their increasing importance to providing access to high-quality care in rural communities. The Rural Health Transformation Program authorizes $50 billion over five years as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to improve access to care, quality and patient outcomes in rural communities. (HealthLeaders Media article, 2/16/26)