Massachusetts nurse practitioners step up as one solution to the primary care access problem: a political success story.
Massachusetts' political experience with efforts to insure all citizens provided a unique opportunity for nurse practitioners to address the growing need for access to primary care. Passage of a new statute to recognize nurse practitioners as primary care providers that health plan beneficiaries could choose was accomplished through strategic planning and political savvy. The results of a focused effort using the expertise of a professional lobbying team along with organizational support resulted in a groundbreaking new law that is a component of a reform model being examined by the nation as a whole, looking to address accessible, quality, and affordable health care. This article chronicles that journey and its accomplishment.
Craven
Gloria
G
Craven & Ober Policy Strategists, LLC, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. GCraven@policystrategists.com
Ober
Stacey
S
D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D008404:Massachusetts; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011057:Politics; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration