Deck 9: Health Policy and the Nurse Practitioner

Question 1

Discuss Florence Nightingale's accomplishments as a foundation to healthcare advocacy.

Answer 1

The foundation of nurse practitioner healthcare advocacy can be linked to Florence Nightingale, a visionary of public policy on numerous healthcare issues: promoting clean water, good nutrition, decent lodging, and adequate ventilation to reduce infection rates. Nightingale impacted healthcare reform issues through leadership, innovative thought, and perseverance. She lobbied the British Parliament to educate nurses who would serve in public workhouses and was passionate in her opinion that individuals who were sick should avoid hospitalization, advocating for home health services provided by nurses and physicians. By way of careful preparation and attention to detail, Nightingale obtained the support of high-level medical experts, cabinet ministers, and senior governmental officials. The most prominent sanitarians of the time, statisticians, engineers, and water experts alike were willing to work with her to advance health policies because they shared her vision and respected her methods.

Question 2

The first nurse practitioner (NP) program in the United States prepared NPs to practice in which specialty?

A) Pediatrics
B) Family
C) Women's health
D) Psychiatric mental health

Answer 2

Pediatrics

Question 3

Which legislation granted provider status to nurse practitioners and authorized NPs to bill Medicare directly for providing services to its recipients, regardless of setting?

A) Social Security Act
B) Balanced Budget Act
C) Affordable Care Act
D) American Health Care Act

Answer 3

Balanced Budget Act

Question 4

Members of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) are advocating for introduction of a bill related to healthcare advocacy. To help determine whether the timing is right to introduce the bill, which individual is most appropriate for the AANP to consult?

A) A state representative
B) A member of congress
C) A lobbyist
D) A senator

Question 5

In 2008, which organization partnered with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to launch a 2-year initiative to promote advancement of the nursing profession?

A) Office of Minority Health (OMH)
B) Institutes of Medicine (IOM)
C) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
D) Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Question 6

Discuss use of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) website to ensure understanding of the nurse practitioner's (NP's) scope of practice.

Question 7

Summarize the impact of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and Quality Payment Program on reimbursement for nurse practitioner (NP) services.

Question 8

The nurse practitioner (NP) reviews regulations related to Medicare reimbursement. Based on current regulations, which action is reimbursable and appropriate for implementation by the NP?

A) Performing the admission examination for a skilled nursing facility (SNF) patient who is a Medicare recipient
B) Providing the initial certification of a Medicare patient's eligibility for hospice care
C) Completing the first monthly examination for a skilled nursing facility (SNF) patient who is a Medicare recipient
D) Serving as the attending provider for a Medicare patient who requires hospice care

Question 9

Explain how the use of provider neutral language could increase the nurse practitioner's (NP's) eligibility for Medicare reimbursement.

Question 10

Describe two events hosted by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) that promote political advocacy.

Question 11

What are the restrictions regarding prescribing medications that are applicable in your state?

Question 12

Other than prescriptive authority, what are the key legislative issues that your state NP organization is currently working on?

Question 13

Identify a health policy issue that you feel passionate about. Develop a 30-second elevator speech/sound bite that clearly articulates your position.

Question 14

What topic would you be most comfortable discussing with a federal legislator? Why?

Question 15

In the Health Policy Exemplars section of this chapter, Dr. Adams has noted that it is time for APRNs to "find our voice." What does that mean to you?