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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 5, 2018 10:06 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Camera Bartolotta |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Modernization of the Professional Nursing Law |
| In the near future, I will reintroduce legislation to modernize the Professional Nursing Law for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). This legislation was Senate Bill 25 from last session and will once again be reintroduced as Senate Bill 25 for the new 2019-2020 Legislative Session. My legislation will expand access to high quality health care by removing archaic restrictions on APRNs that no longer reflect modern medicine and the delivery of health care. Under the bill, the State Board of Nursing is to establish an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse-Certified Nurse Practitioner (APRN-CNP) license in areas of expertise consistent with training and focus. This replaces the current state certification requirement. Additionally, after meeting a three year, 3,600-hour physician collaboration requirement, APRN-CNPs will be permitted to practice to the full extent of their education and training by removing the requirement for a formal collaborative agreement currently required for them to practice and write prescriptions. This, combined with the new licensing standard, will allow APRN-CNPs to provide health care in an environment free from unnecessary administrative burdens that have outlived their usefulness. Nearly 35 percent of Pennsylvanians live in an area or population group with inadequate primary care access. This is a growing trend in the 46th Senatorial District which encompasses a large number of rural communities throughout Washington, Greene and Beaver Counties, where access to quality health care is a serious concern. There simply are not enough physicians practicing in smaller communities, yet research and studies continue to show that certified nurse practitioners are suited to fill that need. Twenty-two other states and the District of Columbia currently allow nurse practitioners full practice authority. Please join me to cosponsor this legislation and position our Commonwealth to follow suit and help meet the growing health care needs for Pennsylvania. |
Introduced as SB25