Representatives David Joyce (R-OH) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) have reintroduced the “Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act” (H.R. 2713) in the 118th Congress. This legislation will make a real difference for our patients by eliminating many of the barriers to the use of the highest-quality healthcare services provided by advanced practice registered nurses, including CRNAs. Ask your U.S. Representative to cosponsor this legislation today.
The “ICAN Act” was drafted by a coalition of nursing groups including the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, American Nurses Association, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the American College of Nurse-Midwives. Specific to CRNAs, this legislation will remove barriers involving Medicare reimbursement for evaluation and management services, clarify that CRNAs can order and refer for Medicare services, permanently remove physician supervision under Medicare, promote parity in the teaching rules, and include non-medically directed CRNA services paid at the full Medicaid fee schedule amount as a mandatory benefit under the Medicaid program. The “ICAN Act” also would address barriers that affect all APRNs, such as allowing APRNs to use the Medicare locums payment modifier and prohibiting Medicare Administrative Contractors from imposing provider qualifications in local coverage determinations (LCDs).
Now, we need to get as many bipartisan cosponsors to this legislation as possible. The AANA is hard at work talking with legislators about the benefits this legislation will bring to patients and providers in their districts. As a constituent, your Representative reports to you and needs to know you support this legislation as well. Please follow the instructions below to ask your U.S. Representative to cosponsor H.R. 2713 to remove barriers to your practice today!
Instructions for contacting your Representative:
1. Click here or text ICAN to 40649.
2. Follow the prompts to be connected with your U.S. Representative. You will be directed to a pre-written email. Please personalize this email so that it is not seen as a form letter.
3. Click “send letter.”
4. If you want to help lobby for this legislation (and more!) in person, it’s not too late to register for the AANA Mid-Year Assembly, April 28 – May 3 in Washington, DC.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact AANA Federal Government Affairs at info@aanadc.com or 202-484-8400.
Thank you for all you do for our patients and our profession!
Sincerely,
Angela Mund, DNP, CRNA
AANA President
(copy provided by AANA)
