How the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act Impacts Nurses

The Improving Care and Access to Nurses legislation significantly impacts nurses and their patients. Consider seven ways to advocate for improved access to care.

• The Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) legislation was introduced into the House of Representatives on September 13, 2022.
• The I CAN Act removes antiquated federal regulations in the Medicaid and Medicare systems, which then allows APRNs to practice at the top of their license.
• The I CAN Act improves healthcare options but does not address practice authority, which is regulated by individual states.

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) demonstrated strength, versatility, and resilience during the pandemic, caring for patients in various settings. Yet, their education and clinical experience could have been extended further to improve access to healthcare if the legislation had allowed it. APRN care is tied to greater patient satisfaction, improved communication, and fewer emergency room visits.

Patient outcomes are similar between NPs and medical doctors, but in some cases, patients do better with an NP. To address this gap in care, Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) and Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) introduced the I CAN Act (H.R. 8812) to the House of Representatives on September 13, 2022.

Discover what the I CAN Act is, how it impacts nurses, and the steps nurses and APRNs can take to improve access to healthcare across the country.

What Is the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act?

If passed, the legislation would remove barriers to nurse practitioner practice in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. It would increase access to services provided by the more than 200,000 APRNs currently practicing.

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