The Veterans Health Administration is in the midst of a dispute about a proposal to let advanced practice registered nurses practice without physician supervision, even in states that have laws requiring oversight, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
More than 60 state and national physician groups have signed a letter with their "strong concerns" to the Department of Veterans Affairs, whereas about 40 nursing organizations have endorsed letters applauding the proposed changes.
The states and physician groups contend the proposal would "effectively eliminate physician-led team-based care within the VHA system," according to the report. The nurse groups say the proposed changes would "further facilitate timely delivery of high-quality healthcare to our nation's service and women."
People are closely watching this dispute, especially since the VHA is the nation's largest healthcare system with more than 1,700 hospitals in all 50 states, according to the report.
The proposal for APRNs wouldn't be the first change the VHA has made to scope of practice rules, according to the report. Last month, it issued new guidelines for its 2,200 physician assistants, removing some restrictions and letting individual PAs and their collaborating physicians, or supervisors, determine how much autonomy the PA should have.
VHA officials say they are still meeting with physician and nursing groups and reviewing the handbook internally, according to the report.
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