When health care reform was signed into law by President Obama on March 23rd, it signaled the beginning of a new era for nurse-led health care. The Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Ac (H.R. 3590) will capitalize on the ability of nurse practitioners to provide high-quality primary and preventive care by defining "nurse-managed health clinic" in the Public Health Service Act and authorizing a new $50 million grant program to support the development and operation of nurse-managed health clinics that provide primary care or wellness services to underserved or vulnerable populations.
Nurse-managed health clinics serve as crucial health care access points in areas where primary care physicians are in short supply. These health centers are led by advanced practice nurses (primarily nurse practitioners). Sometimes called nurse-managed health centers or NMHCs, they provide primary care, health promotion, and disease prevention services to patients who are least likely to receive ongoing health care services. This population includes clients of all ages who are uninsured, underinsured, living in poverty, or members of racial and ethnic minority groups.
In addition to providing services directly to clients, nurse-managed health clinics also play an important role in health profession education. The majority are affiliated with schools and colleges of nursing and serve as clinical education and practice sites for health profession students and faculty. More than 85 of the nation's leading nursing schools operate nurse-managed health clinics that provide high-quality, cost-effective primary care to patients and enhance learning and practice opportunities for nursing students and faculty. In addition, many have partnerships with other academic programs and provide learning opportunities for medical, pharmacy, social work, public health, and other students.
While details of the new funding program still have to be decided, it will be open to nurse-managed health clinics that provide care to underserved and vulnerable populations and are associated with "a school, college, university or department of nursing, federally qualified health center, or independent nonprofit health or social services agency."
The National Nursing Centers Consortium has been working with lawmakers on Capitol Hill for years to pass legislation that would provide better federal support for nurse-managed community-based health centers. "NNCC applauds the passage of health care reform and looks forward to working with the government to ensure a smooth implementation process." said Tine Hansen-Turton, MGA, JD, Chief Executive Officer of the NNCC.
Kenneth P. Miller, PhD, RN, CFNP, FAAN, the Chairperson of the NNCC Board of Directors, added: "The inclusion of nurse-managed health clinics in health care reform shows that lawmakers understand that our health care issues cannot be solved by insurance alone, and that nurse practitioners are the future of primary care in the United States."
For more information, visit NNCC online at www.nncc.us <http://www.nncc.us/> or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
