Nurse Practitioners in New York Achieve Independent Practice Status

Nurse practitioners in the green states can practice independently and now nurse practitioners in New York have joined them. Congratulations! They are no longer required to collaborate with a physician. Half the states in the country have similar laws. Most of these providers are trained in primary care. New York is a state where innovative solutions can prosper and spread. Nurse practitioners are especially effective in treating chronic diseases. They can set up chronic cardiometabolic condition clinics in New York that are advanced medical homes designed to produce optimal medical therapy consistently. That would save tens of thousands of lives while providing a healthier, longer life for New Yorkers.

The biggest barrier to this progress is the way our healthcare is financed. It does not support advanced medical homes that treat chronic diseases adequately. Accountable care organizations or Medicare Advantage programs involve a different financial model and they can be much more successful by supporting these advanced medical homes. These organizations in New York should support nurse practitioners in delivering optimal medical therapy (OMT). OMT can be very effective in disadvantaged and minority populations as well. New Yorkers and their leaders should support nurse practitioners in delivering this care to your communities. It is an opportunity for important innovation.