HPNA Statement on AMA Policy Amendment Calling for Joint Licensure of APRNs

The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) issued the following statement about the American Medical Association (AMA)’s House of Delegates’ passage of a policy amendment recommending that advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) be jointly licensed and regulated by the state medical and nursing boards:

“At a time of severe workforce issues impacting APRNs, is it deeply concerning that the AMA, an organization representing a member of our interdisciplinary team, would recommend unneeded regulation which would result in additional barriers of practice for APRNs whose qualifications for independent practice have been proven time and time again.  The National Consensus Model clearly recommends that APRNs be licensed and regulated by nursing regulatory boards, and there is no justification for requiring additional review and regulation by state medical boards.

HPNA is proud to be working with our partner organizations and legislative champions to advance the bipartisan Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act (H.R. 2713), which would eliminate barriers in Medicare and Medicaid that are restricting APRNs from practicing to the full extent of their education and training and are impeding access to quality patient care. As stated in our guiding principles, HPNA is committed to developing a sustainable and diverse nursing workforce with specialized education and training in hospice and palliative care, and look forward to continuing our work to support, educate, engage, and empower all nurses to practice to the fullest extent of their education, training, licensure, and certification across their professional roles and varied workplace settings.”