Advanced Practice Registered Nurses the Solution to Physician Shortage By: Susan Lynch | Posted: January 10, 2011 3:55 AM

Medicaid patients in Florida are finding it more and more difficult to find a primary care provider. Only 5 percent of Florida physicians accept patients on Medicaid.

In the majority of states, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are legislatively empowered to provide primary care for Medicaid recipients. This past October, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended removal of all scope-of-practice restrictions on all APRNs as a way to increase access to health care in our nation.

However, Florida laws restrict APRNs from providing this care. The result: patient suffering and increased costs to the state.

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