Update from AANP Health Policy Conference in DC

As the sole representative from Vermont here in our great capitol, I feel the weight of the responsibility to urge our representatives to relentlessly push forward on home health and durable medical equipment barriers for our patients. But there are other issues that need to be addressed including removing barriers to NP ability to prescribe suboxone for our patients with addiction issues. We know that there are long wait times for people wishing to enter suboxone and methadone treatment and a willing segment of the NP workforce who wants to be able to address that need. We also know that some of these folks experience overdose and sometimes death while waiting for admission into treatment. Senator Schumer from New York is working on a bill to address this issue and I am looking for any input from Vermont NPs to assist moving this proposed legislation forward.