[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 22, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E356]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANT WORK OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS AND SUPPORTING 
                    INCREASED ACCESS TO HOME HEALTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 22, 2016

  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the many nurse 
practitioners (NPs) in Oregon and nationwide who work hard to provide 
quality health care to patients. Today, I'm meeting with Nancy 
Cavanaugh, a pediatric NP from Central Point, Oregon. Nancy practices 
at La Clinica's school-based health centers, including at Crater High 
School in Central Point. NPs like Nancy are the health provider of 
choice for millions of Americans seeking primary care, pediatric care, 
disease education, and other preventative services. Along with clinical 
nurse specialists (CNSs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), and 
physician assistants (PAs), NPs serve many patients as their main 
source of care, especially in rural areas where a physician isn't 
always readily available.
   Despite this important role, these clinicians remain unable to order 
home health services for the Medicare patients under their care. This 
impediment results in an administrative and paperwork burden, creating 
an unnecessary step in care delivery. That is why I introduced H.R. 
1342, the Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2015, which 
would ensure that our Medicare beneficiaries get the home health care 
they need in a timely manner by allowing NPs, CNSs, CNMs and PAs to 
order home health services, if their state allows it.
   By easing administrative burdens and permitting nurse practitioners 
like Nancy to order and certify home health services, the Home Health 
Care Planning Improvement Act would help deliver needed care to 
patients, especially in areas where access to health care is limited. 
Oregon's seniors should be able to receive this important care in a 
timely fashion, because no one should be forced to choose between 
receiving health care and remaining in his or her home. Please join me 
in thanking Nancy and her fellow NPs for their hard work on behalf of 
patients.

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