Enhancing Skilled Nursing Facilities Act
Summary
The "Enhancing Skilled Nursing Facilities Act" aims to amend Titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act. The goal is to streamline care delivery in skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. This bill seeks to expand the scope of practice for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists within these facilities.
Expected Effects
The act would allow nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists to perform certain duties currently restricted to physicians. This includes certifying post-hospital extended care services and supervising healthcare delivery. The changes aim to increase efficiency and access to care within skilled nursing facilities.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to care in skilled nursing facilities, especially in underserved areas.
- Potentially reduced healthcare costs due to more efficient use of healthcare professionals.
- Greater flexibility for healthcare providers in managing patient care.
- Modernization of healthcare regulations to reflect the evolving roles of non-physician practitioners.
- Improved coordination of care through a team-based approach.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential concerns about the quality of care if non-physician practitioners are not adequately supervised or trained.
- Possible resistance from physicians who may feel their authority is being undermined.
- Risk of increased liability for facilities if non-physician practitioners make errors in judgment.
- Potential for variations in standards of care across different states due to differing state laws.
- Administrative complexities in implementing the changes and ensuring compliance.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill primarily deals with healthcare regulations and the administration of Medicare and Medicaid, which fall under the purview of Congress's power to provide for the general welfare (Article I, Section 8). The expansion of roles for nurse practitioners and physician assistants is a policy decision within the scope of congressional authority to regulate healthcare programs. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, and the bill acknowledges state law in the scope of practice for non-physician practitioners, respecting state sovereignty.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).