Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, 90198-90207 [2016-29950]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 14, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 90198-90207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29950]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

38 CFR Part 17

RIN 2900-AP44


Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Final rule with comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its 
medical regulations to permit full practice authority of three roles of 
VA advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) when they are acting 
within the scope of their VA employment. Certified Registered Nurse 
Anesthetists (CRNA) will not be included in VA's full practice 
authority

[[Page 90199]]

under this final rule, but comment is requested on whether there are 
access issues or other unconsidered circumstances that might warrant 
their inclusion in a future rulemaking. The final rulemaking 
establishes the professional qualifications an individual must possess 
to be appointed as an APRN within VA, establishes the criteria under 
which VA may grant full practice authority to an APRN, and defines the 
scope of full practice authority for each of the three roles of APRN. 
The services provided by an APRN under full practice authority in VA 
are consistent with the nursing profession's standards of practice for 
such roles. This rulemaking increases veterans' access to VA health 
care by expanding the pool of qualified health care professionals who 
are authorized to provide primary health care and other related health 
care services to the full extent of their education, training, and 
certification, without the clinical supervision of physicians, and it 
permits VA to use its health care resources more effectively and in a 
manner that is consistent with the role of APRNs in the non-VA health 
care sector, while maintaining the patient-centered, safe, high-quality 
health care that veterans receive from VA.

DATES: This final rule is effective January 13, 2017. Comments on full 
practice authority for CRNAs must be received by VA on or before 
January 13, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted: Through https://www.Regulations.gov; by mail or hand-delivery to Director, Regulations 
Management (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue 
NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; by fax to (202) 273-9026. 
Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 
2900-AP44-Advanced Practice Registered Nurses.'' Copies of comments 
received will be available for public inspection in the Office of 
Regulation Policy and Management, Room 1068, between the hours of 8 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (except holidays). Call (202) 
461-4902 for an appointment. (This is not a toll-free number.) In 
addition, during the comment period, comments may be viewed online 
through the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at https://www.Regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David J. Shulkin, M.D., Under 
Secretary for Health, (202) 461-7000 or Linda M. McConnell, Office of 
Nursing Services, (202) 461-6700, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, 
DC 20420. (These are not toll-free numbers.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a document published in the Federal 
Register on May 25, 2016 (81 FR 33155), VA proposed to amend its 
medical regulations in part 17 of Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR) to permit full practice authority of four roles of VA advanced 
practice registered nurses (APRN) when they were acting within the 
scope of their VA employment. We provided a 60-day comment period, 
which ended on July 25, 2016. We received 223,296 comments on the 
proposed rule.
    The Office of the Federal Register has prepared a document, A Guide 
to the Rulemaking Process, that states that an agency is not permitted 
to base its final rule on the number of comments received in support of 
the rule over those in opposition to it or vice versa. The document 
further states that an agency must base its reasoning and conclusions 
on the rulemaking record, which consists of the comments received, 
scientific data, expert opinions, and facts accumulated during the pre-
rule and proposed rule stages. This final rule adheres to the guidance 
established by the Office of the Federal Register.
    Section 7301 of title 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) establishes 
the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) within VA, and establishes 
that its primary function is to ``provide a complete medical and 
hospital service for the medical care and treatment of veterans, as 
provided in this title and in regulations prescribed by the Secretary 
pursuant to this title.'' To allow VA to carry out its medical care 
mission, Congress also established a comprehensive personnel system for 
certain medical employees in VHA, independent of the civil service 
rules. See Chapters 73 and 74 of title 38, U.S.C. As an integrated 
Federal health care system with the responsibility to provide 
comprehensive care under 38 U.S.C. 7301, it is essential that VHA 
wisely manage its resources and fully utilize the skills of its health 
care providers to the full extent of their education, training, and 
certification.
    By permitting the three APRN roles, Certified Nurse Practitioner 
(CNP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), or Certified Nurse-Midwife 
(CNM), throughout the VHA system with a way to achieve full practice 
authority in order to provide advanced nursing services to the full 
extent of their professional competence, VHA furthers its statutory 
mandate to provide quality health care to our nation's veterans. This 
regulatory change to nursing policy permits three roles of APRNs to 
practice to the full extent of their education, training and 
certification, without the clinical supervision or mandatory 
collaboration of physicians. Standardization of APRN full practice 
authority, without regard for individual State practice regulations, 
helps to ensure a consistent delivery of health care across VHA by 
decreasing the variability in APRN practice that currently exists as a 
result of disparate State practice regulations. Certified Registered 
Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) will not be included in VA's full practice 
authority under this final rule, but comment is requested on whether 
there are access issues or other unconsidered circumstances that might 
warrant their inclusion in a future rulemaking.
    Standardization of full practice authority to the three APRN roles 
also aids VA in making the most efficient use of VHA APRN staff 
capabilities, which increases VA's capacity to provide timely, 
efficient, and effective primary care services, as well as other 
services. This increases veteran access to needed VA health care, 
particularly in medically-underserved areas and decreases the amount of 
time veterans spend waiting for patient appointments. In addition, 
standardizing APRN practice authority enables veterans, their families, 
and caregivers to understand more readily the health care services that 
VA APRNs are authorized to provide. This preemptive rule increases 
access to care and reduces the wait times for VA appointments utilizing 
the current workforce already in place. VA's position to not include 
the CRNAs in this final rule does not stem from the CRNAs' inability to 
practice to the full extent of their professional competence, but 
rather from VA's lack of access problems in the area of anesthesiology.
    To ensure that VA would have available highly qualified medical 
personnel, Congress mandated the basic qualifications for certain 
health care positions, including registered nurses. Sections 7401 
through 7464 of title 38, U.S.C., grant VA authority to regulate the 
professional activities of such personnel. To be eligible for 
appointment as a VA employee in a health care position (other than 
Director) covered by section 7402(b), of title 38, U.S.C., a person 
must, among other requirements, be licensed, registered, or certified 
to practice their profession in a State. The standards prescribed in 
section 7402(b) establish only the basic qualifications necessary 
``[t]o be eligible for appointment'' and

[[Page 90200]]

do not limit the Secretary or Under Secretary for Health from 
establishing other qualifications for appointment, or additional rules 
governing such personnel. In particular, 38 U.S.C. 7403(a)(1) provides 
that appointments under Chapter 74 ``may be made only after 
qualifications have been established in accordance with regulations 
prescribed by the Secretary, without regard to civil-service 
requirements.'' As the head of VHA, the Under Secretary for Health has 
the duty to ``prescribe all regulations necessary to the administration 
of the Veterans Health Administration,'' subject to approval by the 
Secretary. See 38 U.S.C. 7304; see also 38 U.S.C. 501. Pursuant to this 
authority, the Under Secretary for Health is authorized to establish 
the qualifications and clinical practice standards of VHA's nursing 
personnel and to otherwise regulate their professional conduct.
    To continue to provide high quality health care to veterans, this 
final rule will allow three roles of APRNs to practice to the full 
extent of their education, training, and certification when acting 
within the scope of their VA employment, regardless of State 
restrictions that limit such full practice authority, except for 
applicable State restrictions on the authority to prescribe and 
administer controlled substances.
    The proposed rule stated that VA was proposing to grant full 
practice authority to four APRN roles. We received 104,256 comments 
against granting full practice authority to VA CRNAs. The American 
Society of Anesthesiologists lobbied heavily against VA CRNAs having 
full practice authority. They established a Web site that would 
facilitate comments against the CRNAs, which went as far as providing 
the language for the comment. These comments were not substantive in 
nature and were akin to votes in a ballot box. The main argument 
against the VA CRNAs was that by granting CRNAs full practice authority 
VA would be eliminating the team based concept of care in anesthesia, 
which is currently established in VA policy via VHA Handbook 1123, 
Anesthesia Service. Team based care was not addressed in the proposed 
rule because we consider it to be an integral part in addressing all of 
a veteran's health care needs. Establishing full practice authority to 
VA APRNs, including CRNAs, would not eliminate any well-established 
team based care. The second argument posed against granting full 
practice authority to VA CRNAs was that there is ``no shortage of 
physician anesthesiologists in VA and the current system allows for 
sufficient flexibility to address the needs of all VA hospitals.'' 
Again, most of these comments were not substantiated by evidence, 
though as discussed further below, VA does believe that evidence exists 
that there is not currently a shortage of anesthesiologists that 
critically impacts access to care, and therefore VA agrees with the 
sentiment of this argument.
    We similarly received 45,915 comments in support of full practice 
authority for APRNs as a whole without specific mention of CRNAs. We 
received 9,613 comments in support of full practice authority for 
CRNAs. The CRNA-specific commenters stated that ``CRNAs currently 
exercise their full scope of practice in 17 states and in the Army, 
Navy, Air Force, Combat Support Hospitals, Forward Surgical Teams, and 
the Indian Health Services, even in some VAs where CRNAs are the only 
anesthesia providers. Evidence shows that APRN provided care increases 
access, improves quality, and reduces costs for all Americans. By 
extending Full Practice authority to CRNAs and other APRNs at the VHA, 
we can help end delays to high-quality, safe, and cost-effective care 
for America's Veterans. Implement this well researched policy change 
promptly.'' The commenters also stated that ``APRN's and CRNAs 
practicing in a manner which they have been educated and trained to 
provide expert care has been backed by decades of research.'' Several 
other commenters stated ``Over 900 CRNAs provide every type of 
anesthesia care, as well as chronic pain management services, for our 
Veterans in the VHA. The safety of CRNA services has long been 
recognized by the VHA and underscored by peer-reviewed scientific 
studies, including a major study published in Health Affairs which 
found that anesthesia care by CRNAs was equally safe with or without 
physician supervision.'' VA agrees with these comments, but has chosen 
not to include CRNAs in this final rule due to VA's lack of access 
problems in the area of anesthesiology.
    Commenters raised anesthesia issues related to the RAND Assessment, 
which the public can view at https://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/documents/assessments/Assessment_B_Health_Care_Capabilities.pdf. Specifically, 
the Department of Veterans Affairs Independent Assessment B, Appendix 
E-I reported on qualitative interviews with Chiefs of Staff at VA 
facilities; fourteen comments discussed lack of anesthesia service/
support as a barrier to providing care, including for urgent and non-
urgent cardiovascular surgeries (three comments), as well as colon 
cancer/gastrointestinal services such as endoscopy and colonoscopy 
(eleven comments).\1\ As discussed further below, VA understands that 
there are difficulties hiring and retaining anesthesia providers, but 
generally believes that this situation is improving. VA reviewed the 
qualitative interviews with Chiefs of Staff at VA facilities contained 
in the RAND Assessment but did not determine that data supported 
granting FPA to CRNAs to solve access issues. Nonetheless, VA is 
requesting further comments on whether advanced practice authority for 
CRNAs would bring further improvements.
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    \1\ VA Independent Assessment, Appendices E-I, https://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/documents/assessments/Assessment_B_Health_Care_Capabilities_Appendices_E-I.pdf.
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    We reviewed the Veterans Health Administration payroll data 
revealed that, as of August 31, 2016, VHA employs 940 Physician 
Anesthesiologists (physicians), 5,444 Nurse Practitioners, 937 CRNAs, 
and 386 Nurse Specialists. Nurse Practitioner is currently #3 in the 
top 5 difficult to recruit and retain nurse specialties. Additional 
workforce trend data is available in the Regulatory Impact Analysis.
    In a 2015 independent survey of VA general facility Chief of Staffs 
conducted by the Rand Corporation, approx. 38% (43 of 111) reported 
problems recruiting or hiring advanced practice providers, such as 
Nurse Practitioners, and 50% reported problems recruiting or hiring 
nurses such as clinical specialists.\2\ The most commonly reported 
barriers to recruitment and hiring for these medical experts were: Non-
competitive wages (72% of 43 responses for advanced practice providers; 
64% of 56 responses percent for nurses), Human Resources process (42% 
for advanced practice providers; 45% for nurses), geographic location 
of facility (35% for advanced practice providers; 23% for nurses), and 
lack of qualified applicants (26% for advanced practice providers; 32% 
for nurses).\3\
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    \2\ RAND, Independent Assessment B, Appendix G.1.1 Chief of 
Staff, 2015 Survey of VA Capabilities and Resources, G-5.
    \3\ Id. at G-6. (Totals greater than 100 due to option to select 
the two most important factors affecting recruiting and hiring. Only 
respondents who reported problems recruiting specific personnel 
categories were asked to respond.)
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    Similarly, nearly 30% (33 of 111) of Chiefs of Staffs reported 
problems retaining advanced practice providers, such as NPs, and almost 
half reported problems retaining nurses, such as clinical 
specialists.\4\ The most commonly reported reasons for problems with 
retention of these medical experts were: Dissatisfaction

[[Page 90201]]

with supervision/management support (61% of 31 responses for advanced 
practice providers; 57% of 49 responses percent for nurses) and 
dissatisfaction with pay (36% of advanced practice providers; 27% of 
nurses).\5\ Chiefs of Staff rarely selected lack of opportunity for 
professional growth/promotion as a top two reason for retention 
problems, only 6% selected this option for advanced practice providers 
and 8% for nurses. Lack of professional autonomy was also not viewed as 
a significant contributor to retention issues (3% for advanced practice 
providers, 0% for nurses).
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    \4\ Id. at G-7.
    \5\ Id. at G-9.
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    In fiscal years 2011 through 2015, CRNAs were in the top 10 VHA 
Occupations of Critical Need, but dropped to 12th place in FY 2015. 
Despite the challenges discussed above, within VHA the occupation has 
grown approximately 27% between FY 2010 and FY 2014 (166 employees). 
Total loss rates decreased from 6.6% in FY 2013 to 6.2% in FY 2014, but 
have ranged from 9.4% to 6.2% between FY 2009 and FY 2014. Voluntary 
retirements decreased from 3.2% in FY 2013 to 2.7% in FY 2014. Quits 
increased from 1.9% in FY 2013 to 2.6% in FY 2014. VA has taken steps 
to improve recruitment of CRNAs, including partnering with the U.S. 
Army to educate interested and qualified VA registered nurses in the 
field of nurse anesthesia.\6\ Also, as previously stated in this 
rulemaking, VA CRNAs are a crucial part of the team based anesthesia 
care. VHA Handbook 1123, Anesthesia Service, states in paragraph 4.a. 
``In facilities with both anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists, 
care needs to be approached in a team fashion taking into account the 
education, training, and licensure of all practitioners.''
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    \6\ VA, Patient Care Services, Nurse Anesthetist Education 
Program, available at: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/CRNA_Education/Pages/Certified_Registered_Nurse_Anesthetists.asp (last accessed 
Oct. 18, 2016).
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    Anesthesiology is not in the top 5 difficult to recruit and retain 
physician specialties. However, in a 2015 independent survey of VA 
general facility Chief of Staffs conducted by the Rand Corporation, 25% 
(27 of 111) reported problems recruiting or hiring 
anesthesiologists.\7\ The most commonly reported barriers to 
recruitment and hiring for these medical experts were: Non-competitive 
wages (78% of 27 respondents), Human Resources process (25%), and 
geographic location of facility (22.2%).\8\ Nearly 10% of Chiefs of 
Staff (11/111) reported difficulties retaining anesthesiologists.\9\ 
The most commonly reported reason for staff retention problems for 
these medical experts were: Dissatisfaction with supervision/management 
support (27%) and dissatisfaction with pay (55%).\10\ Despite these 
challenges, over the past 5 years, the number of anesthesiologists VHA 
hired increased from 87 in FY11 to 149 in FY15. The FY15 turnover rate 
for anesthesiologists is slightly lower than the turnover rate for 
physicians overall. VHA has had recent successes in hiring or 
contracting for Anesthesiology services.
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    \7\ RAND, Independent Assessment B, Appendix G.1.1 Chief of 
Staff, 2015 Survey of VA Capabilities and Resources, G-5.
    \8\ Id. at G-6.
    \9\ Id. at G-8.
    \10\ Id. at G-9.
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    Recruiting, hiring, and retention challenges, as reported by VA 
facility Chiefs of Staffs struggling with these issues, are similar 
among advanced practice or specialist nurses and anesthesiologists. 
These managers did not view lack of advancement opportunity or practice 
autonomy as significant barriers to retention, which may indicate that 
increased use of advanced practice authority is unlikely to fully 
resolve this challenge--both because it may not address the root causes 
of these problems and because similar challenges constrain hiring of 
both doctors and nurses. On the other hand, the perceptions of 
potential applicants and staff may not be fully reflected by a survey 
of facility management. Further, it is possible that resources might be 
available to address some of these underlying issues if efficiencies 
were realized as a result of advanced practice nursing authority. VA 
welcomes comment on whether lack of advanced practice authority is a 
hiring, recruitment, or retention barrier for CRNAs, as well as on the 
extent to which advanced practice authority could help to resolve these 
issues either directly or indirectly.
    Based on this analysis, VHA believes that VA does not have 
immediate and broad access problems in the area of anesthesia care 
across the full VA health care system that require full practice 
authority for all CRNAs.
    However, VA requests comment on the question of whether there are 
current anesthesia care access issues for particular states or VA 
facilities and whether permitting CRNAs to practice to the full extent 
of their advanced authority would resolve these issues. VA also 
requests comment on potential future anesthesia care access issues, 
particularly in light of projected increases in demand for VA care, 
including surgical care, in coming years.
    We will, therefore, not finalize the provision including CRNAs in 
the rule as one of the APRN roles that may be granted full practice 
authority at this time. However, we request comment on this decision. 
If we learn of access problems in the area of anesthesia care in 
specific facilities or more generally that would benefit from advanced 
practice authority, now or in the future, or if other relevant 
circumstances change, we will consider a follow-up rulemaking to 
address granting full practice authority to CRNAs.
    VA CRNAs that have already been granted full practice authority by 
their State license will continue to practice in VA in accordance with 
their State license and subject to credentialing and privileging by a 
VA medical facility's medical executive committee. VA will not restrict 
or eliminate these CRNAs' full practice authority.
    This final rule uses the term ``full practice authority'' to refer 
to the APRN's authority to provide advanced nursing services without 
the clinical oversight of a physician when that APRN is working within 
the scope of their VA employment. Such full practice authority is 
granted by VA upon demonstrating that the advanced educational, 
testing, and licensing requirements established in this rulemaking are 
met and upon the recommendation and approval of the medical executive 
committee when the provider is credentialed and privileged.
    In this rulemaking, VA is exercising Federal preemption of State 
nursing licensure laws to the extent such State laws conflict with the 
full practice authority granted to VA APRNs while acting within the 
scope of their VA employment. Preemption is the minimum necessary 
action for VA to allow APRNs full practice authority. It is impractical 
for VA to consult with each State that does not allow full practice 
authority to APRNs to change their laws regarding full practice 
authority.
    The campaign in support of the proposed rule was not as extensive 
as the campaign against granting full practice authority to CRNAs. The 
main lobbyists in support of the proposed rule were the American Nurses 
Association and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, who 
supported a letter campaign. We received 45,915 comments in support of 
the proposed rule. Of these 45,915, we received specific support of 
individual APRN roles as follows: 9,613 in support of CRNAs, 1,079 in 
support of CNM, and 495 in support of CNPs. These

[[Page 90202]]

commenters agreed that the proposed rule aligns with the Institute of 
Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences 2010 IOM Report in 
that the rule removes scope of-practice barriers and increases access 
to VA care. The commenters also agreed that the APRNs are highly 
skilled in their particular APRN role, as demonstrated by their 
education and hours of skilled training. Several commenters stated that 
``APRNs will deliver care to the full scope of their education and 
training and ensure that the VA has the flexibility to utilize all 
providers within the healthcare team, maximizing the effective use of 
resources and providing optimal care for the men and women who have 
served our country in uniform.'' Other commenters supported the 
proposed rule by stating ``this proposal supports the VHA team model of 
care and promotes efficiency in healthcare delivery by making smarter 
use of the 6,000 APRNs'' that are employed by VA. ``Most importantly, 
this proposal has the ability to make real and significant improvements 
to the availability of high-quality care for millions of Veterans.'' 
The commenters also stated that ``APRN full practice authority within 
the VA would create nationwide consistency, thereby improving upon the 
current patchwork of state regulations and making the most effective 
use of these health care professionals.'' We thank the commenters for 
their support of the proposed rule.
    We received a comment in support of the proposed rule from the 
Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC focuses on the ``impact of 
regulation on competition in the private sector and, ultimately, on 
consumers.'' The FTC's main interest in the proposed rule was ``the 
extent that the VA's actions may encourage entry into health care 
service provider markets, broaden the availability of health care 
services outside the VHA system, as well as within it, and yield 
information about new models of health care delivery.'' The FTC 
believes that its experience ``may inform and support the VA's 
endeavor.'' The FTC staff supports the granting of full practice 
authority to APRNs, which will benefit ``VA's patients and the 
institution itself, by improving access to care, containing costs, and 
expanding innovation in health care delivery.'' VA's actions could also 
spur competition among ``health care providers and generate additional 
data in support of safe APRN practice,'' which could also spill into 
the private health care sector. We thank the FTC for their support of 
the proposed rule and make no edits based on this comment.
    Several commenters stated that they were concerned with proposed 
Sec.  17.415(d)(1)(i)(B), where we stated that a Certified Nurse 
Practitioner (CNP) may order, perform, or supervise laboratory studies. 
The commenters stated that the proposed language does not ``adequately 
appreciate the levels of complexity involved in laboratory testing'' 
and that there are rigid standards for laboratory tests that require 
rigorous academic and practical training, which are not part of the 
training for APRNs. Another commenter stated, ``While the VHA uses the 
word `interpret' in reference to laboratory and imaging studies,'' the 
commenter ``. . . infers that the VA's intent is to grant the ability 
for CNPs to interpret laboratory and imaging results, not to interpret 
or report raw images or data.'' The commenter suggested that VA amend 
the term ```interpret' and recommends instead to use `integrate results 
into clinical decision making,' or some other phrase'' in order to 
avoid confusion between the duties of an APRN and those of a laboratory 
specialist. We agree with the commenter in that the proposed language 
might be construed as allowing CNPs the ability to perform laboratory 
studies. It is not VA's intent to have APRNs take over the role of 
laboratory specialists. These specialists perform a crucial role at VA 
medical facilities and are skillfully trained in performing the various 
testing techniques that allow health care professionals to properly 
treat a veteran's medical condition. We are amending proposed Sec.  
17.415(d)(1)(i)(B) to now state that a CNP may be granted full practice 
authority to ``Order laboratory and imaging studies and integrate the 
results into clinical decision making.''
    Other commenters were similarly concerned with the language in 
proposed Sec.  17.415(d)(1)(i)(B), but as it refers to ordering, 
performing, supervising and interpreting imaging studies. The 
commenters stated that only trained radiologists, who undergo 10 years 
of comprehensive training to accurately interpret high-tech imaging 
exams and safely account for the radiation used in many scans should 
perform these duties. The commenters further stated that imaging exams 
should only be performed by registered radiological technologists. It 
is not VA's intent to replace our highly qualified radiologists or 
radiological technologists. VA is committed to providing high quality 
health care for our nation's veterans and is proud of the outstanding 
work performed by radiologists in our system. We note, however, that 
during the course of care, other health care providers may review 
radiology exams and make evaluations based upon the radiologist's 
findings. These health care providers include providers in emergency 
departments, primary care clinics, and specialty clinics throughout the 
VA health care system. All radiology studies are formally performed and 
read by individuals who are credentialed in radiology. This rulemaking 
will not change this practice. In order to avoid confusion, we are 
amending Sec.  17.415(d)(1)(i)(B) by removing performing, supervising, 
and interpreting imaging studies and replacing it with ``Order 
laboratory and imaging studies and integrate the results into clinical 
decision making.''
    Some commenters were also concerned that CNPs ``may order more 
imaging studies, which increases the total cost and the radiation dose 
to the patient.'' One commenter cited a study that indicated that CNPs 
may order imaging more frequently than primary care physicians. 
However, the study defined advanced practice clinicians to include CNPs 
and physician assistants, and did not differentiate between these two 
different types of health care providers in the study. This rulemaking 
only addresses APRNs, and it is unclear how the study was influenced by 
including physician assistants. It's also unclear whether there is 
actually a significantly higher rate of ordering imaging among these 
groups. We found no other significant evidence provided by the 
commenters to support the claim that CNPs order more imaging studies 
than physicians. For these reasons, we make no changes based on this 
comment.
    Several commenters were concerned that the value of team-based care 
would be undermined by granting full practice authority to APRNs. They 
stated that physicians and other members of a health care team bring 
unique value to patient care that is based on the individual member's 
education, skill, and training. The commenters argued that by 
eliminating team-based care, patients would be placed at risk. Team-
based care is an integral part of VA health care and is used in a wide 
range of settings, which include polytrauma care, nutrition support, 
and primary care. VA will continue to provide the already established 
team-based care to properly treat the veteran's individual health care 
needs. The proposed rule only addressed the granting of full practice 
authority to APRNs and does not address team-based care. Any change to 
current VA team-based health

[[Page 90203]]

care is beyond the scope of this rulemaking. We are not making any 
edits based on these comments.
    Other commenters questioned an APRN's years of training versus 
those of a physician, citing an American Medical Association statement 
that ``physicians typically receive a combined total of over 10,000 
hours of training and patient experience prior to beginning practice, 
whereas the typical APRN receives less than 1,000 hours of training and 
patient experience.'' The commenters added that trained physicians 
should be taking care of the veterans' medical needs as opposed to a 
nurse who has not received the same training and education as 
physicians. APRN education is competency based and APRNs must 
demonstrate that they have integrated the knowledge and skill to 
provide safe patient care. Entry into APRN practice is predicated on 
the requirement to attain national certification. APRNs are held to the 
same standard as physicians in measuring patient outcomes for safe and 
effective care. VHA acknowledges the fact there are differences in 
physician and APRN educational and training models and is not planning 
on replacing physicians with APRNs in any health care setting within 
VHA.
    APRNs are valuable members of VA's health care system and provide a 
degree of much needed experience to alleviate the current access 
problems that are affecting VA. APRNs, like physicians, are required to 
maintain their State license and their health care skills are 
continuously assessed through the privileging process. As we stated in 
the proposed rule ``APRNs would not be authorized to replace or act as 
physicians or to provide any health care services that are beyond their 
clinical education, training, and national certification'' and an APRN 
will require approval of their credentials and privileges by the VA 
medical facility's medical executive committee. An APRN will refer 
patients to a physician for care that goes beyond that of the APRN's 
training. We will not make any edits based on these comments.
    Several commenters stated that they would like all veterans to 
receive the best and safest medical care in VA and do not believe that 
granting APRNs full practice authority will lead to such care. As 
previously stated in this final rule, VHA's primary function is to 
``provide a complete medical and hospital service for the medical care 
and treatment of veterans'' under 38 U.S.C. 7301(b). We also stated in 
the proposed rule that in carrying out this function, VHA has an 
obligation to ensure that patient care is appropriate and safe and its 
health care practitioners meet or exceed generally-accepted 
professional standards for patient care. The general qualifications for 
a person to be appointed as a VA nurse are found in 38 U.S.C. 
7402(b)(3). In addition to these general qualifications, the proposed 
rule stated that APRNs would now be required to have ``successfully 
completed a nationally-accredited, graduate-level educational program 
that prepares the advanced practice registered nurse in one of the four 
APRN roles; and to possess, and maintain, national certification and 
State licensure in that APRN role.'' VA believes that these additional 
qualifications for APRNs ensure that VA has highly qualified health 
care personnel to provide safe health care to veterans. In addition, 
the VA medical facility's medical executive committee will be 
responsible for the quality and oversight of the health care provider. 
Additionally, the IOM Report states that ``the contention that APRNs 
are less able than physicians to deliver care that is safe, effective, 
and efficient is not supported by the decades of research that has 
examined this question (Brown and Grimes, 1995; Fairman, 2008; Groth et 
al., 2010; Hatem et al., 2008; Hogan et al., 2010; Horrocks et al., 
2002; Hughes et al., 2010; Laurant et al., 2004; Mundinger et al., 
2000; Office of Technology Assessment, 1986). No studies suggest that 
care is better in states that have more restrictive scope-of-practice 
regulations for APRNs than in those that do not.'' We will not make any 
edits based on these comments.
    Several commenters stated that the proposed rule would undermine 
the State requirement that CNPs need to collaborate with or be 
supervised by physicians. They were also concerned that the rule would 
eliminate local control of licensing and regulation of physicians and 
health care providers, which would result in lower standard of care. We 
note that there may be discrepancies between State practice acts and 
this final rule which is why this regulation preempts conflicting state 
and local law. As we stated in the proposed rule, ``In circumstances 
where there is a conflict between Federal and State Law, Federal law 
prevails in accordance with Article VI, clause 2, of the U.S. 
Constitution (Supremacy Clause).'' We also stated ``where there is 
conflict between State law and Federal law with regard to full practice 
authority of APRNs working within the scope of their federal VA 
employment, this regulation would control.'' Again, we emphasize that 
this rule only preempts State law for VA employees practicing within 
the scope of their VA employment, and that as a result, any such 
infringement upon State authority would be limited. Further, this final 
rule does not eliminate the APRN's need to possess a license from a 
State licensing board in one of the recognized APRN roles. This is a 
requirement in proposed Sec.  17.415(a)(3). Proposed Sec.  17.415(a)(4) 
also requires an APRN to maintain both the national certification and 
licensure. In addition to these requirements, an APRN must demonstrate 
the knowledge and skills necessary to provide the services described in 
proposed Sec.  17.415(d) without the clinical oversight of a physician, 
and is thus qualified to be privileged for such scope of practice by 
the medical executive committee. These measures will ensure that 
patients receive care from an APRN that is credentialed and privileged 
to perform the specified tasks and will promote patient safety. We will 
not make any edits based on these comments.
    Several commenters were concerned that APRNs would be at a higher 
risk of malpractice, especially when the APRN's State license does not 
grant full practice authority. A commenter asserted that the APRN's 
defense would be diminished when the ``state in which the APRN is 
practicing in deems an act beyond the provider's scope of practice, but 
the Federal government has given all APRNs the broadest rights 
available.'' Under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. 1346(b), 
2401(b), 2671-2680, and the Westfall Act, 28 U.S.C. 2679(b)-(d), 
employees furnishing medical care or services in the exercise of their 
duties for VHA are immune from personal liability for malpractice in 
the scope of their employment; the rule clarifies the intent of VA that 
APRNs will be acting within the scope of employment when performing 
their duties in the capacities set forth herein. The commenters further 
stated that the preemption of State law would create a discrepancy with 
VA policy in that VA states in the proposed rule that an APRN must be 
licensed by a State. As previously stated in this rulemaking, where 
there is conflict between State law and Federal law with regard to full 
practice authority of APRNs working within the scope of their Federal 
employment, this regulation would control. In doing so, VA is better 
able to protect the APRNs against any challenge of their State license 
when practicing within the scope of their VA employment. VA does not 
see a disconnect between preemption and the requirement that an APRN 
must have a State license. Such requirement is established in statute

[[Page 90204]]

under 38 U.S.C. 7402 for the qualifications of appointment as a health 
care provider in VA. As we stated in the proposed rule, we are 
establishing ``additional professional qualifications an individual 
must possess to be appointed as an APRN within VA.'' These additional 
requirements go beyond the requirements of some State licenses and 
ensure consistency for health care provided within VA. We are not 
making any edits to the rule based on these comments.
    One commenter indicated that the proposed rule stated ``Section 4 
of Executive Order 13132 requires that when an agency proposes to act 
through rulemaking to preempt state law, `the agency shall consult, to 
the extent practicable, with appropriate State and local officials in 
an effort to avoid such conflict.' '' [Emphasis added.] The commenter 
further stated that ``VA did not provide affected state and local 
officials with such notice.'' Specifically, ``no state medical boards 
(whether osteopathic or allopathic) were consulted. By the very nature 
of the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), these state medical 
boards, who are charged with overseeing independent medical practice 
and assuring patient safety, are `affected State officials.' '' 
Initially, we note that section 1(d) of the Executive Order defines 
State and local officials as including only elected officials, and we 
do not believe the officials overseeing State medical boards are 
elected. Additionally, section 4 of the Executive Order, as cited by 
the commenter, states that the ``agency shall consult, to the extent 
practicable'' with affected State and local officials (emphasis added). 
Because advanced practice registered nurses, particularly NPs, are 
typically regulated by state Boards of Nursing rather than by State 
medical board we believe they are most affected by this rule.\11\ 
Although VA did not specifically engage State medical boards, VA 
reached out to several medical associations, including the American 
College of Surgeons, American Academy of Family Practice Physicians, 
American Society of Anesthesiologists, American Medical Association, 
Association of American Medical Colleges, and, although not a medical 
association, The Joint Commission-Office of Accreditation and 
Certification. VA consulted with elected State officials, as required 
by Executive Order 13132, when it received numerous calls and 
correspondence from State and local officials in support of this 
proposed rule. Such State and local officials included State Senators 
from Georgia and Illinois, State Representatives from Florida, Ohio, 
Vermont, North Carolina, Georgia, and Illinois, County Commissioners 
from Nevada, Ohio, and North Carolina, and the State Comptroller and 
Secretary of State from Illinois, to name a few. We also consulted with 
the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. We believe that VA's 
efforts to consult with State and local officials meet the requirements 
of section 4(d) of Executive Order 13132. Furthermore, the proposed 
rule encouraged any comments regarding the granting of full practice 
authority, which afforded the ``affected State and local officials 
notice and an opportunity for appropriate participation in the 
proceedings.'' As we state in the Federalism paragraph in this rule, at 
least twelve States responded to VA's outreach efforts prior to 
publication of the proposed rule. It would have been impracticable for 
VA to have consulted with all State medical boards as an outreach 
effort prior to publication of the proposed rule. We are not making 
edits based on this comment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ Carolyn Buppert, Nurse Practitioner's Business Practice and 
Legal Guide, Appendix 3-A (5th Ed. 2015). (Delaware and Alabama, 
with joint oversight authority, are rare exceptions to this general 
rule.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Another commenter stated that the proposed rule ``will directly 
affect many individuals and will directly affect small entities.'' The 
commenter further stated that the rule should not be exempt from the 
initial regulatory flexibility analysis as stated in the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 603 and 604), will not maximize net benefits 
and equity and will raise novel and legal policy issues. Another 
comment emphasizes only that ``some private-sector anesthesiology 
services'' are provided by small physician practices, which ``may'' 
include nurse anesthetists. It further notes that in a ``limited'' 
number of states, there is a ``possibility'' that private sector 
anesthetists could be induced to work at VA instead of in the private 
sector. None of these claims demonstrate that the regulation would have 
a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small 
entities; VA found no such effect would result in its proposed rule, 
and certified this finding as required by 5 U.S.C. 605(b). We further 
note that private sector providers are not subject to the proposed 
regulation, which would only regulate the activities of VA employees, 
and hence would be outside the scope of a required analysis under the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act. See, e.g., Mid-Tex Electric Cooperative v. 
FERC, 773 F.2d 327, 342-3 (D.C. Cir. 1985); Cement Kiln Recycling 
Coalition v. EPA, 255 F.3d 855, 868-9 (D.C. Cir. 2001); and 
Aeronautical Repair Station Ass'n v. F.A.A., 494 F.3d 161, 174-7. We 
are not making any edits based on these comments.
    Another commenter was in support of the proposed rule, but had 
concerns regarding prescriptive authority, namely that in some States 
the prescriptive authority regulations ``are linked to scope of 
practice laws which would create confusion in VA facilities operating 
within those states.'' The commenter further stated that 
``collaborative agreements may limit the scope of practice of the 
advanced practice registered nurse and inhibit full practice 
authority.'' VA understands that the proposed change could create 
confusion, and as a result, VA will train and educate its APRNs in 
their authorities based upon this rule to reduce the potential for 
confusion and to ensure they can practice to the full extent of their 
authority. We make no edits based on this comment.
    A commenter stated a belief that there is a distinction ``between 
the ability of APRNs to perform tasks autonomously and their ability to 
practice independently. The former is a well-established practice, 
while the latter is controversial.'' The commenter distinguished `` 
`autonomy' from `independence,' the latter referring to practitioners 
acting alone and not in a team-based model.'' The commenter stated that 
they support ``highly trained APPs who are part of a care team 
practicing autonomously within the scope and ability of their 
licensure. This is generally accomplished with collaborative practice 
between a collaborating physician and APPs on the care team.'' We 
previously stated in this final rule that team-based care was not 
addressed in the proposed rule. Team-based care is an integral part of 
VA health care, and we will continue to adhere to the already 
established team-based models of care within VA. We are not making any 
edits based on this comment.
    Several commenters stated that VA should include physician 
assistants (PA) in the final rule and grant them full practice 
authority as well. Other commenters were opposed to the granting of 
full practice authority to PAs. We similarly received comments 
requesting that we include pharmacist practitioners in the rule. The 
granting of full practice authority to PAs and pharmacist practitioners 
was not addressed in the proposed rule and granting such authority in 
this final rule is beyond the scope of the proposed rule. VA would only 
be able to address

[[Page 90205]]

the granting of full practice authority to PAs and pharmacist 
assistants in a future rulemaking.
    One commenter opposed the proposed rule and urged VA ``to instead 
focus on ways to improve access to care provided to veterans in 
community settings through the Choice Program. This would reduce wait 
times for appointments for all veterans, and free up VA clinicians to 
care for sicker and more complex patients in VA facilities prepared to 
address their unique needs.'' The Veterans Choice Program is authorized 
by section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act 
of 2014. The program is implemented in 38 CFR 17.1500 through 17.1540. 
The proposed rule did not address the Veterans Choice Program, and in 
no way affects the Veterans Choice Program. This comment is beyond the 
scope of this rulemaking. We are not making any edits based on this 
comment.
    One commenter suggested that VA amend its application process for 
hiring physicians citing that there are delays in the usajobs.gov job 
portal that often leads physicians to remove themselves from job 
contention. The application process for physician positions was not 
addressed in the proposed rule, and this issue is beyond the scope of 
this rulemaking. We are not making any edits based on this comment.
    VA received many comments that expressed general support or 
opposition to this rulemaking and raised various issues related to 
administration of the VA health care system or VA benefits that are 
beyond the scope of this rulemaking. We make no changes based on these 
comments.
    We are making a minor typographical edit by adding a comma in 
proposed Sec.  17.415(e) to correct an error in the proposed rule. We 
are also amending the last sentence of the paragraph to now read ``Any 
State or local law, or regulation pursuant to such law, is without any 
force or effect on, and State or local governments have no legal 
authority to enforce them in relation to, activities performed under 
this section or decisions made by VA under this section.'' The proposed 
rule inadvertently did not include the phrase ``activities performed 
under''. We are now adding this clarifying language.
    Based on the rationale set forth in the Supplementary Information 
to the proposed rule and in this final rule, VA is amending the 
proposed rule with the edits stated in this final rule.

Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    Section 4 of Executive Order 13132 (titled ``Federalism'') requires 
an agency that is publishing a regulation that preempts State law to 
follow certain procedures. Section 4(b) of the Executive Order requires 
agencies to ``construe any authorization in the statute for the 
issuance of regulations as authorizing preemption of State law by 
rulemaking only when the exercise of State authority directly conflicts 
with the exercise of Federal authority under the Federal statute or 
there is clear evidence to conclude that the Congress intended the 
agency to have the authority to preempt State law.'' Section 4(d) of 
the Executive Order requires that when an agency proposes to act 
through rulemaking to preempt State law, ``the agency shall consult, to 
the extent practicable, with appropriate State and local officials in 
an effort to avoid such a conflict.'' Section 4(e) of the Executive 
Order requires that when an agency proposes to act through rulemaking 
to preempt State law, ``the agency shall provide all affected State and 
local officials notice and an opportunity for appropriate participation 
in the proceedings.''
    Section 6(c) of Executive Order 13132 states that ``no agency shall 
promulgate any regulation that has federalism implications and that 
preempts State law, unless the agency, prior to the formal promulgation 
of the regulation, (1) consulted with State and local officials early 
in the process of developing the proposed regulation; (2) in a 
separately identified portion of the preamble to the regulation as it 
is to be issued in the Federal Register, provides to the Director of 
the Office of Management and Budget a federalism summary impact 
statement, which consists of a description of the extent of the 
agency's prior consultation with State and local officials, a summary 
of the nature of their concerns and the agency's position supporting 
the need to issue the regulation, and a statement of the extent to 
which the concerns of State and local officials have been met; and (3) 
makes available to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
any written communications submitted to the agency by State and local 
officials.''
    Because this regulation addresses preemption of certain State laws, 
VA conducted prior consultation with State officials in compliance with 
Executive Order 13132. Such State officials include State Senators from 
Georgia and Illinois, State Representatives from Florida, Ohio, 
Vermont, North Carolina, Georgia, and Illinois, County Commissioners 
from Nevada, Ohio, and North Carolina, and the State Comptroller and 
Secretary of State from Illinois, to name a few. Although not 
necessarily required by the Executive Order, VA sent a letter to the 
National Council of State Boards of Nursing to state VA's intent to 
allow full practice authority to VA APRNs and for the National Council 
of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to notify every State Board of 
Nursing of VA's intent and to seek feedback from such Boards of 
Nursing. In response to its request for comments, VA received 
correspondence from the Executive Director and other relevant staff 
members within NCSBN, which agreed with VA's position that this 
rulemaking properly identifies the areas in VA regulations that preempt 
State laws and regulations.
    VA additionally engaged other relevant external groups on the 
proposed changes in this rulemaking, including the American Association 
of Nurse Anesthetists, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 
American College of Surgeons, American Academy of Family Practice 
Physicians, American Society of Anesthesiologists, American Medical 
Association, Association of American Medical Colleges, The Joint 
Commission-Office of Accreditation and Certification, American 
Association of Retired Persons, American Legion, Blinded Veterans 
Association, Vietnam Veterans of America, American Women Veterans, 
Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Veterans 
of Foreign Wars. VA also engaged the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs 
Committees and the Senate and House Armed Services Committees.
    Many external stakeholders expressed general support for VA's 
positions taken in the proposed rule, particularly with respect to full 
practice authority of APRNs in primary health care. However, we also 
received comments opposing full practice authority for CRNAs when 
providing anesthetics. To aid in VA's full consideration to this issue, 
VA encouraged any comments regarding the proposed full practice 
authority. In this way, VA provided all affected State and local 
officials notice and an opportunity for appropriate participation in 
the proceedings.
    VA's promulgation of this regulation complies with the requirements 
of Executive Order 13132 by (1) in the absence of explicit preemption 
in the authorizing statute, identifying where the exercise of State 
authority conflicts with the exercise of Federal authority under 
Federal statute; (2) limiting the preemption to only those areas where 
we find a conflict exists; (3) restricting the regulatory preemption to 
the minimum level necessary to achieve the objectives of the statute; 
(4) receiving and considering input from State and

[[Page 90206]]

local officials as indicated above; and (5) providing opportunity for 
comment through this rulemaking.

Effect of Rulemaking

    Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as revised by this 
final rulemaking, represents VA's implementation of its legal authority 
on this subject. Other than future amendments to this regulation or 
governing statutes, no contrary guidance or procedures are authorized. 
All existing or subsequent VA guidance must be read to conform with 
this rulemaking if possible or, if not possible, such guidance is 
superseded by this rulemaking.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This final rule contains no provisions constituting a collection of 
information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-
3521).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Secretary hereby certifies that this final rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-
612. This final rule directly affects only individuals and would not 
directly affect small entities. Therefore, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), 
this amendment is exempt from the initial and final regulatory 
flexibility analysis requirements of 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604.

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, when 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, and other advantages; distributive impacts; 
and equity). Executive Order 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory 
Review) emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility. 
Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) defines a 
``significant regulatory action,'' requiring review by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), unless OMB waives such review, as ``any 
regulatory action that is likely to result in a rule that may: (1) Have 
an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely 
affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, 
productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or 
safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities; (2) 
Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action 
taken or planned by another agency; (3) Materially alter the budgetary 
impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the 
rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) Raise novel legal 
or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's 
priorities, or the principles set forth in this Executive Order.''
    The economic, interagency, budgetary, legal, and policy 
implications of this regulatory action have been examined, and it has 
been determined to be a significant regulatory action under Executive 
Order 12866 because it is likely to result in a rule that may raise 
novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the 
President's priorities, or the principles set forth in this Executive 
Order. VA's impact analysis can be found as a supporting document at 
https://www.regulations.gov, usually within 48 hours after the 
rulemaking document is published. Additionally, a copy of the 
rulemaking and its impact analysis are available on VA's Web site at 
https://www.va.gov/orpm/, by following the link for ``VA Regulations 
Published From FY 2004 Through Fiscal Year to Date.''

Unfunded Mandates

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C. 
1532, that agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and 
benefits before issuing any rule that may result in the expenditure by 
State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the 
private sector, of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for 
inflation) in any one year. This final rule has no such effect on 
State, local, and tribal governments, or on the private sector.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance numbers and titles for 
the programs affected by this document are: 64.007, Blind 
Rehabilitation Centers; 64.008, Veterans Domiciliary Care; 64.009, 
Veterans Medical Care Benefits; 64.010, Veterans Nursing Home Care; 
64.011, Veterans Dental Care; 64.012, Veterans Prescription Service; 
64.013, Veterans Prosthetic Appliances; 64.014, Veterans State 
Domiciliary Care; 64.015, Veterans State Nursing Home Care; 64.018, 
Sharing Specialized Medical Resources; 64.019, Veterans Rehabilitation 
Alcohol and Drug Dependence; 64.022, Veterans Home Based Primary Care; 
and 64.024, VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program.

Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Robert D. 
Snyder, Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this 
document on September 2, 2016, for publication.

List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 17

    Administrative practice and procedure, Alcohol abuse, Alcoholism, 
Claims, Day care, Dental health, Drug abuse, Foreign relations, 
Government contracts, Grant programs--health, Grant programs--veterans, 
Health care, Health facilities, Health professions, Health records, 
Homeless, Medical and dental schools, Medical devices, Medical 
research, Mental health programs, Nursing homes, Philippines, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements, Scholarships and fellowships, Travel 
and transportation expenses, Veterans.

    Dated: December 8, 2016.
Jeffrey Martin,
Office Program Manager, Regulation Policy & Management, Office of the 
Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, we amend 38 CFR part 17 
as follows:

PART 17--MEDICAL

0
1. The authority citation for part 17 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, and as noted in specific sections.
    Section 17.415 is also issued under 38 U.S.C. 7301, 7304, 7402, 
and 7403.



0
2. Add an undesignated center heading immediately after Sec.  17.410 
and add new Sec.  17.415 to read as follows:

Nursing Services


Sec.  17.415  Full practice authority for advanced practice registered 
nurses.

    (a) Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). For purposes of this 
section, an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is an individual 
who:
    (1) Has completed a nationally-accredited, graduate-level 
educational program that prepares them for one of the three APRN roles 
of Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), 
or Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM);

[[Page 90207]]

    (2) Has passed a national certification examination that measures 
knowledge in one of the APRN roles described in paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section;
    (3) Has obtained a license from a State licensing board in one of 
three recognized APRN roles described in paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section; and
    (4) Maintains certification and licensure as required by paragraphs 
(a)(2) and (3) of this section.
    (b) Full practice authority. For purposes of this section, full 
practice authority means the authority of an APRN to provide services 
described in paragraph (d) of this section without the clinical 
oversight of a physician, regardless of State or local law 
restrictions, when that APRN is working within the scope of their VA 
employment.
    (c) Granting of full practice authority. VA may grant full practice 
authority to an APRN subject to the following:
    (1) Verification that the APRN meets the requirements established 
in paragraph (a) of this section; and
    (2) Determination that the APRN has demonstrated the knowledge and 
skills necessary to provide the services described in paragraph (d) of 
this section without the clinical oversight of a physician, and is thus 
qualified to be privileged for such scope of practice.
    (d) Services provided by an APRN with full practice authority. (1) 
Subject to the limitations established in paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section, the full practice authority for each of the three APRN roles 
includes, but is not limited to, providing the following services:
    (i) A CNP has full practice authority to:
    (A) Take comprehensive histories, provide physical examinations and 
other health assessment and screening activities, diagnose, treat, and 
manage patients with acute and chronic illnesses and diseases;
    (B) Order laboratory and imaging studies and integrate the results 
into clinical decision making;
    (C) Prescribe medication and durable medical equipment;
    (D) Make appropriate referrals for patients and families, and 
request consultations;
    (E) Aid in health promotion, disease prevention, health education, 
and counseling as well as the diagnosis and management of acute and 
chronic diseases.
    (ii) A CNS has full practice authority to provide diagnosis and 
treatment of health or illness states, disease management, health 
promotion, and prevention of illness and risk behaviors among 
individuals, families, groups, and communities within their scope of 
practice.
    (iii) A CNM has full practice authority to provide a range of 
primary health care services to women, including gynecologic care, 
family planning services, preconception care (care that women veterans 
receive before becoming pregnant, including reducing the risk of birth 
defects and other problems such as the treatment of diabetes and high 
blood pressure), prenatal and postpartum care, childbirth, and care of 
a newborn, and treating the partner of their female patients for 
sexually transmitted disease and reproductive health, if the partner is 
also enrolled in the VA healthcare system or is not required to enroll.
    (2) The full practice authority of an APRN is subject to the 
limitations imposed by the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 801 et 
seq., and that APRN's State licensure on the authority to prescribe, or 
administer controlled substances, as well as any other limitations on 
the provision of VA care set forth in applicable Federal law and 
policy.
    (e) Preemption of State and local law. To achieve important Federal 
interests, including but not limited to the ability to provide the same 
comprehensive care to veterans in all States under 38 U.S.C. 7301, this 
section preempts conflicting State and local laws relating to the 
practice of APRNs when such APRNs are working within the scope of their 
VA employment. Any State or local law, or regulation pursuant to such 
law, is without any force or effect on, and State or local governments 
have no legal authority to enforce them in relation to, activities 
performed under this section or decisions made by VA under this 
section.

[FR Doc. 2016-29950 Filed 12-13-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P