Jan 19, 2016

VA Submits Proposed Regulation Allowing Full Practice Authority

Now under consideration: a proposal to allow advanced practice registered nurses full practice authority in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities. This is an important step in a process that has been underway for at least two years, and you can weigh in.

On January 8, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs submitted the draft regulation for a final review, which is being facilitated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Soon, the OMB will publish the proposed rule in the Federal Register for public comment. We will let you know when that happens, and also how to send your notes. Supporters will have 60 days to comment, after which the VHA will review the comments and consider publishing a final rule.

Meanwhile,  Action Coalition members can speak up at the Veterans Access to Quality Care Alliance website, at Veterans-Access-to-Care.com.

Here is an excerpt from the OMB’s regulatory agenda posting: “The VA is proposing to amend its medical regulations to permit the full practice authority of all VA advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) when they are acting within the scope of their VA employment….This rule would permit VA to use its health care resources more effectively and in a manner that is consistent with the non-VA health care sector, while maintaining the patient-centered, safe, high quality health care that veterans receive from VA.”

View the full posting.