Legislators reintroduce bill to remove barriers to APRN practice

Congressional Nursing Caucus leaders reintroduced an AONL-supported bill to remove the remaining barriers imposed by the Medicare and Medicaid programs preventing APRNs from practicing to the full extent of their education and training, corresponding with the level approved in the state where they practice. The Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act (H.R. 1317/S. 575) would improve health care access and quality of care while lowering costs. Reps. Dave Joyce, R-Ohio, Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., Jen Kiggans, R-Va., and Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., and Sens. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., sponsored the bill. (Rep. Joyce news release, 2/14/25)