The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is launching a pilot project that enables nurse practitioners (NPs) operating private clinics to bill the Medical Care Plan (MCP) for their services. This initiative aims to enhance access to primary health care for residents, addressing longstanding demands from the Registered Nurses Union. Under this model, NPs will act as private contractors and receive salaries comparable to public sector counterparts, along with funding for business-related expenses such as equipment and administrative costs, covering 1,950 service hours annually—1,660 of which must focus on direct patient care. Associated with family care teams, this project is anticipated to attract participation from nearly half of the existing NPs. Jessica Peddle, President of the NL Nurse Practitioners Association, highlights the potential for increased local access to health care. Opposition critic Barry Petten argues that the program should offer free services for all NPs, a commitment he claims a potential PC government would uphold.
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