Editor’s note: This article was originally published on February 24, 2025, and updated on March 17, 2025.
Bipartisan legislation that would give full practice authority to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) has garnered renewed support from nursing advocacy groups.
Earlier this month, Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley and Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis initiated a third attempt to move the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act through Congress. The measure, now known as S.575, was first introduced in 2022 and again in 2023.
“As the husband of a nurse, I know just how critical the care provided by nurses is and the valuable impact nurses have on their patients,” Merkley, co-chair of the Senate Nursing Caucus, stated in a news release. “Our bipartisan bill will remove barriers for advanced practice registered nurses and will increase staffing of highly-trained nurses, reduce costs, and improve patient care.”
Reps. Dave Joyce, Suzanne Bonamici, Lauren Underwood, and Jen Kiggans introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives.
The American Nurses Association announced on March 17 that 263 organizations have endorsed the legislation, “including all 51 constituent/state nursing associations (C/SNAs) and 29 organizational affiliates (OAs).”
