Health Policy Action: American Veterans Health

Yanet

The US healthcare system is now undergoing certain changes so it can be a perfect time for considerable and timely improvements. One of the most serious issues is associated with many groups limited access to high-quality care. American veterans turn out to be a vulnerable group as they have to wait many days or even months to receive care (Hammerman, 2016). At that, there is a viable solution near at hand.

Nurse practitioners are well-educated and fully qualified to perform a variety of clinical and other services including the provision of clinical services (for example, injections), provision of aid (professional, psychological, and emotional), management of screening (as well as lifestyles, dieting) and even establishment of diagnoses. Nevertheless, nurse practitioners are not allowed to perform various tasks without the supervision of a physician in many states. The situation is rather ironical as there are high-qualified practitioners in place but their qualifications are not used. Many stakeholders involved would benefit from the legislation that would widen the responsibilities of nurse practitioners. Veterans would be able to receive care (including counseling and partnering) they need while healthcare facilities will not spend funds to increase the number of physicians to address the needs of the population in question.

In conclusion, it is necessary to stress that it is an obvious solution to the existing issue. Nurse practitioners are already available so it is but natural that they should complete all tasks they are qualified to perform. The Veteran Administration should advocate the launch of the corresponding legislation as veterans have done a lot for their country (including their health) so it is time for the country to give back.

Nayelis

American veterans deserve the best care as they have done so much for our country. I believe the most efficient strategy to achieve this goal is the regulation giving nurse practitioners the right to assess, give diagnoses, prescribe medications, provide counseling, and so on. The modern system is unable to meet the needs of veterans as the number of physicians in the country is far from being sufficient, and the trend is quite alarming as only 8% of people choose to work in the field of primary care (Flows, 2017). The number of nurse practitioners is quite significant and even satisfying the needs of patients. However, more patients could be reached if nurse practitioners would be able to provide more services nationwide.

Flows (2017) revealed a case when a nurse practitioner had to look for a physician working in another state to provide a prescription to her patient as the pharmacist did not accept the nurses prescription since nurse practitioners were not regarded as autonomous providers in that state. Healthcare professionals have to waste a lot of time to complete quite routine tasks, which has a negative effect on patient satisfaction or even their health outcomes. Nurse practitioners are totally qualified to provide various services that would make veterans life easier and healthier. Nurse practitioners can diagnose, prescribe medications, manage treatment, provide psychological support and so on (Hammerman, 2016).

American veterans would feel the care of the country they protected. The system can be more efficient if nurse practitioners are allowed to perform various tasks without physicians supervision. Nurse practitioners have the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience. Therefore, all the states should regard nurse practitioners as autonomous providers.