http://community.advanceweb.com/blogs/np_1/archive/2009/05/19/nurse-practitioners-will-reduce-medical-costs.aspxThe American Academy of Nursing (AAN) is burning the midnight oil working toward recognition of nurse practitioners as primary healthcare providers. This is especially important as President Obama prepares to consider healthcare reform in the United States.enCommunityServer 2.1 SP2 (Debug Build: 61120.2)http://community.advanceweb.com/blogs/np_1/archive/2009/05/19/nurse-practitioners-will-reduce-medical-costs.aspx#39075Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:01:44 GMT06d5312c-37b9-406e-be84-460d8d21f4fc:39075Barb<p>I truly believe that increasing the number of NP's in primary care settings would go a long way towards improving the health of countless individuals in this country, especially those with chronic disease. &nbsp;Few medical students enter primary care anymore, and few practice in rural or inner cities, where the need is greatest. &nbsp;NP's are also less expensive to educate than physicians, and seem more willing to practice in those settings. &nbsp;So why is it, if we agree that more NP's would reduce costs, that the DNP is being pushed? I, for one, would simply ask that high qualilty clinical requirements for a Master's be increased. &nbsp;Getting a DNP is not necessary to provide excellent primary care.</p>