Kiggans, Dingell Introduce Bill to Empower Healthcare Workers and Improve Patient Care in Skilled Nursing Facilities 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Jen Kiggans (VA-02) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-06) introduced the Enhancing Skilled Nursing Facilities Act to empower nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists to provide certain care in skilled nursing facilities (SNF) to streamline care, reduce delays, and improve access for patients on Medicare and Medicaid.

Congresswoman Kiggans said, “Quality and attentive care shouldn’t be hindered by staffing shortages and red tape at skilled nursing facilities, especially when our nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists are fully qualified to administer that care. I am proud to introduce the Enhancing Skilled Nursing Facilities Act to eliminate outdated barriers on our SNF personnel and help their patients get the quality care they deserve.”

Congresswoman Dingell said, “Our health care workforce is already strained, and both care providers and patients are feeling the impacts. This legislation will enable nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists to fill critical gaps in patient care at nursing homes. This commonsense reform will support health care providers, improve patient experiences, and save money by reducing duplicative billing. I look forward to working with my colleague Rep. Kiggans to get this done and will continue to work across the aisle to strengthen our health care system and support this critical workforce.”

“The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) applauds Representatives Kiggans and Dingell for introducing the Enhancing Skilled Nursing Facilities Act. Expanding the workforce providing care in skilled nursing facilities by better utilizing physician associates/assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists will reduce delays in care and improve access for patients,” said AAPA President, Todd Pickard, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, FASCO. “With more than 190,000 PAs nationwide delivering high-quality care across every specialty, the introduction of this bill is essential to ensuring skilled nursing facilities can effectively utilize services provided by PAs.”

“The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), on behalf of the over 461,000 nurse practitioners nationwide, applauds Representatives Kiggans and Dingell for introducing the Enhancing Skilled Nursing Facilities Act,” said AANP President, Valerie J. Fuller, PhD, DNP. “Nurse practitioners are critical to providing high-quality care in skilled nursing facilities; however, outdated federal policies on NPs practicing within SNFs lead to duplicative visits and unnecessary burdens on patients. This bill will remove these outdated policies and ensure that SNF patients receive the care they need, when they need it, from their provider of choice.”

“The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) supports the efforts of Representatives Kiggans and Dingell to bring the caring and expertise of clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioner, and physician assistant to patients regardless of where care is provided.”, said NACNS President, Rick Bassett, MSN, RN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, FCNS, 

Read the bill here.

Read the one-pager here.

The Enhancing Skilled Nursing Facilities Act is endorsed by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), and LeadingAge.

Background:

• For years, SNFs have experienced workforce challenges and severe staffing shortages, delaying patient care and resulting in certain patients being denied admission.
• Studies show that between 2010 and 2020 the number of geriatric physicians decreased nearly 13%, yet the number of geriatric nurse practitioners increased 125%.
• Under current federal law, an NP, PA, or CNS can perform and bill for the required clinical assessments; however, a physician must also do this assessment and can be reimbursed, which results in duplicative billable services.
• Data also shows that when NPs are authorized to provide this care, patients have positive outcomes.
• NPs, PAs, and CNAs can fill gaps in care caused by physician shortages improving patient access, reducing wait times, and increasing patient satisfaction.
• Requiring physician oversight in SNFs and not allowing advanced practice providers to practice to the full extent of their training reduces access to care in underserved and understaffed areas, leading to higher costs due to overuse of resources.

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