AANP Criticizes Bloomberg for Unbalanced Reporting on Nurse Practitioners 

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FHEA Faculty

2 minutes

On July 24, 2024, Bloomberg News published an article titled, “The Miseducation of America’s Nurse Practitioners.” The article has sparked significant controversy within the healthcare community for its reporting on nurse practitioners. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) responded with a strongly worded letter on July 29, 2024, criticizing Bloomberg for presenting a biased and incomplete portrayal of nurse practitioners. 

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Criticism regarding reporting on nurse practitioners

AANP’s letter alleges that the Bloomberg article cherry-picked negative information while sidestepping the substantial contributions NPs make to patient care across the United States. The letter details how NPs have consistently risen to meet national healthcare challenges, from treating patients during the COVID-19 pandemic despite limited personal protective equipment (PPE) to providing essential medical services in disadvantaged and rural communities. 

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According to AANP, the article failed to include more than 50 studies that demonstrate the high-quality care NPs provide in various settings. The organization highlighted that multiple leading healthcare experts and policymakers advocate for fewer barriers to NP practice. It cited studies from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the American Enterprise Institute, and the Brookings Institution. These studies collectively refute the notion that restricting NPs’ scope of practice improves care quality. On the contrary, they indicate that such restrictions can elevate healthcare costs and limit access to needed care. 

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The AANP stressed that responsible journalism should not generalize isolated negative outcomes to disparage an entire profession, especially one that plays a critical role in providing equitable healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas. The organization’s letter rebukes Bloomberg News for what it describes as fearmongering tactics aimed at advancing an agenda against NPs. 

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Editor’s note: this post was originally published on August 13, 2024 and updated on August 27, 2024.

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