Federal Polices Influence Access to Primary Care and Nurse Practitioner Workforce

• This article provides an overview of ACA initiatives that impact the NP workforce.
• Due to the ACA, demand for primary care is expected to substantially increase.
• The NP workforce provides a solution for increasing access to care.
• Initiatives in the ACA provide funding for NP education, training, and practice.
• Inconsistent funding support may impede full utilization of the NP workforce.

Although most nurse practitioners (NPs) are aware of state-level regulations that influence practice, many are unaware of the ways that federal policies affect NP workforce supply and the delivery of primary care. In this investigation we provide an overview of federal initiatives enacted through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that impact the NP workforce. We explore how the law supports NP workforce supply and settings in which NPs provide care. We then describe challenges that may prevent full utilization of the NP workforce. Examining both federal policies and state-level regulations is essential to achieving an increased NP workforce supply and improved access to care.