González Colón reaffirms support for health professionals
By The Star Staff
Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón, the New Progressive Party (NPP) candidate for governor, on Tuesday reiterated her support for the development of health professionals, such as nurses in all their categories.
The health proposal of the NPP government program, #AcciónPR, includes “we will identify resources to improve the salary and working conditions of health professionals who do not bill -- such as nurses, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, paramedics, etc. -- who have not directly benefited from the increases in payments under the Vital Plan.”
The action that González Colón, if elected governor, and the NPP will implement extends to the claim made this week by advanced practice nurses, whose union pointed out that the position of the Puerto Rican Independence Party and its candidate for governor threatens the professional development of nursing.
In 2015, the law regulating the practice of nursing was approved, recognizing the contribution of nurse practitioners. González Colón and the NPP in #AcciónPR recognize the importance of nurse practitioners, who have been primary providers working hand in hand with physicians. The NPP’s policy position is that the profession is increasing access to preventive and health promotion services, which helps reduce health complications and hospital admissions.
Nurse practitioners work in collaboration with physicians to perform functions such as reviewing medical records and advanced physical examinations, formulating a diagnosis and treatment plan including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, and referring patients in a timely manner to other health professionals according to their needs. Research studies have shown that the collaborative model between physicians and nurse practitioners ensures a high level of quality in the health service delivery chain.
