The average consumer is probably aware of the rising cost of medical care. The fact is that an aging society requires more medical care. Consequently, the need for more qualified care at an affordable cost is in high demand across the country. The fact is that public administrators are pushing for more affordable health care and health services. Of course, the optimum way would be to provide more affordable health care. However, public administrators suggest that there is another option available. Nurse Practitioners are highly trained individuals that are qualified to take the place of doctors in numerous cases. Thus, helping to improve the quality of care, while cutting costs.
Nurse Practitioners Provide Affordable Care
The Nurse Practitioner has been around for several decades. This medical professional quickly filled a void in the medical community left by the dwindling number of doctors that were available to treat patients on Medicare and Medicaid. Often, the greatest need for the Nurse Practitioner is in rural areas that do not have a full-time doctor that is able to treat the people in the community. Under those circumstances, the Nurse Practitioner was the perfect solution.
This medical professional stepped in and provided the medical care at a much lower cost to rural, impoverished communities. The fact is that the Nurse Practitioner is able to provide the same level of care as a physician. Many even open their own offices and provide medical care to smaller communities. As health care becomes a vital part of a master in public administration degree, the beginnings of future public servants and even law makers, nurse practitioners are getting more attention as a solution to rising government-subsidized health care costs.
Does The Nurse Practitioner Really Cut Medical Costs?
The nurse practitioner is a very cost effective solution for the medical community. This is the primary reason why public administrators are pushing for them to take the place of primary physicians in some areas. Let’s look at the facts. It takes much less time and money to train a Nurse Practitioner. Furthermore, the nurse practitioner is able to perform the same type of duties as a physician.
For example, nurse practitioners are able to write prescriptions for patients, deliver babies, order tests, and diagnose an illness. Of course, the Nurse Practitioner earns a much lower salary than the physician. This is reflected in the lower cost for patient care and service. It is estimated that the health care system in each state might save several million yearly on health care, simply by transitioning to Nurse Practitioners as primary care givers.
The need for qualified physicians will continue to rise over the next decade as the number of qualified physicians dwindles. However, enabling Nurse Practitioners to fully perform all the functions of a physician will meet the demands for qualified professionals, while cutting health care costs.