AFT Nurses and Health Professionals weighs in with feds

On Sept. 2, 2014, AFT Nurses and Health Professionals submitted comments on the U. S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) proposed revisions to payment policies under the physician fee schedule for 2015. The AFT praised CMS' proposal to require the disclosure of payments to physicians by drug and device manufacturers: "This type of transparency is an important step toward ensuring that the needs of patients and communities are not subordinated to the pursuit of profit. Many physicians, nurses and other health professionals share that goal." The AFT also encouraged CMS to use provider-inclusive language, because portions of the rule apply to all "eligible professionals," including certain nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and other advanced practice registered nurses.

On the same day, AFT Nurses and Health Professionals commented to CMS on its proposed prospective payment system for 2015. The AFT posited that home health agencies' funding should not be cut below 2014 levels; frontline caregivers should have a seat at the table in the development of a home health value-based purchasing program; and advanced practice registered nurses should be permitted to certify face-to-face encounters with their patients.

Both sets of comments are consistent with priorities identified by delegates to the AFT’s 2014 convention and articulated in the following resolutions:

• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs): Key Providers of Primary Care in the USA
   
• Creating a Healthcare System that Puts Patient Care Above Profits

The full text of the AFT Nurses and Health Professionals comments is available here:

• Sept 2, 2014, home healthcare comments
   
• Sept. 2, 2014 physician fees schedule comments