STATUS OF NP BILLS - LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: March 24, 2017

 

WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS WEEK'S PHWL COMMITTEE?

Tuesday was the last day for this Committee to hear House bills, and HB 1182 (PCP recognition for Medicaid) and HB 1228 (Full Schedule II Prescribing Authority), but they were not heard. They were delayed and cannot be presented again during this legislative session. Disappointment was felt by all, but we have many things to celebrate.  The good news is that HB 1254 and HB 1525, the bills that would have put APRNs under the Board of Medicine, were not heard either and they too are dead.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!

Through everyone’s combined effort, HB 1180, now Act 372, Signature Authority for APRNs and PAs, has been signed into law. This is such an important win for all of us and we need to celebrate its passage! 

You have educated your legislators about the evidence-base supporting the utilization of APRNs to the full extent of their education, certification, and licensure. Full Practice Authority (FPA) is progressing across the country. Nurses in Arkansas have worked hard this session to bring FPA to Arkansas and to improve access to health care in our state.

Full Practice Authority will become a reality in Arkansas, but not during this session. We just need to continue to educate our NP colleagues, our legislators, our friends, families, and our communities about how fully utilizing every health care provider makes good business sense, saves money, and provides quality care in a timely manner.

WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE FUTURE?

• Keep brainstorming about potential educational opportunities in your community and let the Arkansas Nursing Policy Roundtable know if we can come and help you make these events happen! We need to arrange meetings with community groups and organizations, have public forums, write articles for publication…you name it…and we need you to help organize these efforts!
• We need to get behind supportive candidates who are considering running for the state legislature…help them to better understand the issues of importance to nursing…and become the “resource person” to whom this candidate can rely upon to bring them evidence-based information on health-related topics.
• Talk to your patients, your colleagues, and other stakeholders about the care that you provide every day and ask them to communicate their support for APRNs to their legislators, even when the legislative session is over.
• MOST OF ALL, STAY POSITIVE…we have decades of evidence to support our efforts and we will succeed. We know that APRNs provide safe, quality health care which is often preferred by our patients.
• Watch for further LEGISLATIVE UPDATES and Action Alerts - we will need your input and your good energy as we move forward!

The website www.nursesforarkansas.com, ANPA Facebook page, and other nursing related Facebook pages will continue to be excellent resources to turn to for the most current information related to the current legislative session and upcoming legislative issues. https://www.facebook.com/Arkansas-Nurse-Practitioner-Association-177076869145677/

Thank you again for your response and your hard work during the past few months…when we speak together in unity, we truly give nursing a VOICE at the Capitol!

Your Friends at the Arkansas Nurse Practitioner Association

in collaboration with the Arkansas Nursing Policy Roundtable and Nurses for Arkansas