Gwen Graham: “nurses are an invaluable resource for the VA health care system, as well as for health care systems the world over. As…”

“nurses are an invaluable resource for the VA health care system, as well as for health care systems the world over. As such, VA has established nurse-managed primary care clinics at many of its medical centers. These clinics are run by nurse practitioners who serve as independent practitioners with prescriptive authority and a focus on delivering cost-effective, efficient, high quality care. I am pleased to say that on July 6, 2004, the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, of which I am ranking member, received VA's favorable report on these clinics, entitled, ``Nurse-Managed Primary Care Clinics Evaluation.'' To complete this report, VA identified three clinics in three VISNs: Fergus Falls, MN; Denver, CO; and Madison, WI. VA then evaluated patient satisfaction, access to care, provider experiences, functional status of patients receiving care, cost of care, and waiting times. Overall, the report concluded that veterans seem immensely satisfied with the care they receive at the clinics and that the costs associated with them are reasonable. I am very proud of the success of these clinics, though not at all surprised by the quality of care provided by VA's nurse practitioners.”