Discuss  the next stage in policy development to overcome these barriers and increase patients’ access to APRNs.

To overcome barriers in patient access, the next step is to develop a regulatory structure that is aligned with today’s healthcare trends and models. It should also include steps to improve the visibility and respect of these professionals. For example, it could be through mentorship programs for APRNs or additional educational opportunities. Additionally, legislation that gives autonomy and prescribing authority to APRNs should be adopted so they are able to assess and treat their patients independently without consulting a medical doctor first.

In addition, insurers should review and update their reimbursement policies so they are more willing to pay for care delivered by APRNs rather than requiring a referral from a physician. This would allow patients to get quality care while paying less. Finally, encouraging physicians to work with APRNs through incentives could lead to more interdisciplinary collaborations between these two health care professionals and ultimately improve the outcomes of patient care.  In addressing these issues, policymakers can not only improve access to primary care but also the health of patients by better integrating it into healthcare systems.