VA Aims To Expand Health-Care Practice Authority

In the continuing effort to expand health-care services to veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs wants to extend full practice authority to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. The change would enable these professionals to “assess, diagnose, prescribe medications and interpret diagnostic tests,” VA stated. If the regulation change is approved, veterans who rely on VA for their health care could expect access to a larger pool of clinicians. The proposed rule is available online at www.regulations.gov.