AAPM&R Opposes Scope of Practice Reforms in President’s Executive Order

January 21, 2020

On January 17, 2020, your Academy – along with more than 75 other medical associations – submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to the scope of practice considerations raised in the President’s Executive Order (EO) #13890 on Protecting and Improving Medicare for Our Nation’s Seniors.

The EO mandates Health and Human Services (HHS) to propose several reforms to the Medicare program. These reforms include eliminating supervision and licensure requirements for Medicare professionals, such as Physician Assistants (PAs) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), that may be more stringent than other applicable federal or state laws and limit such professionals from practicing at the top of their profession.

AAPM&R opposes the directive of the EO and discourages CMS from further weakening the current Medicare supervision requirements of non-physician professionals, which are critical safeguards for patient health and safety.

While AAPM&R considers PAs and APRNs to be a vital part of the caregiving team, we strongly oppose the independent practice of advanced practice providers (APPs) in the provision of rehabilitation care or the broader practice of medicine.

Read the full AAPM&R comment letter.