Grassley received recognition from the ANA during the organization's public policy and legislative conference in the nation's capital. "The American Nurses Association is pleased to present this special award to Senator Grassley for the leadership he has exhibited in advancing Medicare reimbursement for nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists," said ANA President Beverly L. Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN.
Attending the ANA event during which Grassley was honored were: Linda Goeldner, MA, CHE, CAE, Executive Director of the Iowa Nurses Association, and Mary Hansen, PhD, RN, Associate Professor of the Drake University Department of Nursing and Director of the Drake University Center for Health Issues.
"Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists have a tremendous contribution to make as we seek to expand quality health care services in communities across the country. The common sense reform made to the Medicare reimbursement policy will help improve access to quality health care in many rural and urban areas," Grassley said. "I am greatly honored to receive this award from the American Nurses Association. We have worked together for many years to build support for my legislation for health practitioners. Persistence paid off, and we now can claim victory."
Specifically, as part of the balanced budget plan approved by Congress in July and signed by the President in August, Grassley won passage of the Primary Care Health Practitioner Act of 1997. This initiative established direct reimbursement in all settings at 85 percent of the physician reimbursement schedule for nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists. Under previous law, Medicare reimbursed only the supervising physician for services performed in most settings by nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists, even if state law permitted nurses to perform certain services in all settings without physician supervision. Grassley said this limited the ability of nurses to provide valuable services.
Beginning January 1, 1998, Medicare will be required to directly reimburse nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists in all settings -- rural and urban -- at 85 percent of the physician reimbursement schedule for services they are trained and licensed by the state to perform.
Grassley also secured approval this summer for the Physician Assistant Incentive Act of 1997. He advanced this proposal to provide the same reimbursement protection for physician assistants as will be for nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists. "By allowing these qualified health care professionals to operate independently, they will be able to establish a practice in a small town otherwise unable to support a full-time physician," Grassley said.
In October, Grassley was presented a "Friend of Nursing Award" from the Iowa Nurses' Association (INA) during its annual meeting for his leadership in winning passage of the Primary Care Health Practitioner Act of 1997.
Grassley serves as chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging. He is also a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, where all legislation affecting Medicare is considered.