Medicare EO could reduce burdens, facilitate APRN and PA practice

President Trump’s Oct. 3 executive order (EO) Protecting and Improving Medicare for Our Nation’s Seniors could affect the practice of APRNs and physician assistants (PAs) in significant ways. The EO proposed the elimination of burdensome regulatory requirements related to conditions of participation and supervision. It also proposed reimbursing APRNs, PAs and physicians equally for the same procedures. The Secretary of Health and Human Services has one year to write a draft rule proposing reforms to the Medicare program to accomplish these goals. This will be followed by a public comment period and the drafting of a final rule outlining new regulations. (ANA Capitol Beat story, 10/9/19)