The less the Feds are involved, the better.
I wholeheartedly agree with this.
Now, tell me that mid-level practitioners will not, in time, get special incentives, which physicians may not necessarily receive. I am referring to say NPs in states where working under the supervision of a physician is not mandatory.
I can see scenarios wherein, NPs will work in said areas, but will be given certain tax incentives--since they will claim hardship ( and use their political pull), saying that they work for significantly less than physicians. Many nurses are not merely going into the field to make six figures. Many specialized, hardworking RNs can make six figures,
if they are willing to put in the overtime, work the ugly shifts, holidays, etc. These nurses are doing it because they don't want to stay as, if you will, menial grunt-workers at the bedside. Sure, we all don't feel this way; but primary nursing care invariably accounts for a fair amount of a nurses' work. The nurse certainly does many other things beyond that, I should know having worked as a nurse for some time. But these nurses want a sense of autonomy, less grunt work, a "higher" title (whatever that means), and, in many cases, the opportunity to move into teaching. They may take positions that are less attractive, with certain "incentives," at least for a while.
Don't underestimate the power of their collective pull in this particular political environment. And once certain incentives become available in one area, eventually it could certainly act like a domino effect to other areas. When you hear many advanced practice nurses and educators speak, it's hard to miss their message. They truly do feel that it will become foolish for most physicians to go into family practice. Nurses are not just trying to become CRNAs. Many of them, even with only a year or less of basic undergraduate nursing education and those with < a year of clinical experience are moving directly to NP programs. I think it's unwise to ignore the political pull of many advanced practice nurses. You can say "Never," if you want; but is that really wise, when you look at the big picture?
As far as the effects all the way around from ACA, I say, definitely, we shall see.
