HCA urges the New York Congressional Delegation to cosponsor the “Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act” and press for full Congressional action on this bipartisan measure. Currently, NPs and other advanced practice health professionals work closely with physicians to ensure that patients receive necessary care for many Medicare-covered services. They are increasingly providing services to Medicare beneficiaries in rural and underserved areas. In particular, they serve a vital need in communities where physician shortages exist, as they are sometimes more available than physicians to expedite the required paperwork to ensure that care to beneficiaries will be initiated and continued.