As our nation prepares to implement the bulk of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, the issues of access to care and unsustainable cost continue to loom large. What can we do about an aging population with increasing chronic health issues and millions more needing care? How can we meet the increasing demand, maintain quality and not break the bank? Legislators looking for solutions to these questions can unleash the skills of nurse practitioners by removing regulatory barriers that prevent them from practicing to the top of their education and training. Studies find that Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who provide preventive care are as effective as primary-care physicians in accuracy of diagnosis and prescription.
