Throughout Texas, nurse practitioners are rallying behind a bill that would eliminate the need for NPs in the state to obtain a prescriptive authority agreement from physicians to treat patients, according to The Texas Tribune.
Here are four things to know:
1. Rep. Stephanie Klick (R-Fort Worth) brought forward House Bill 1415 last week, which would allow NPs to order and write prescriptions for patients without needing to sign contracts with physicians.
2. Rep. Klick said contract fees can reach $120,000 per year in Texas during a press conference on Feb. 9, 2017. These high costs lead many NPs to work in other states that do not mandate delegating physicians.
During the press conference, Rep. Klick said, "We need every single healthcare provider in this state and we need them operating to the full extent of their training and education. HB 1415 is about patient access, it's about expanding options for care in rural and underserved areas, it's about patient choice and high-quality, cost-effective care."
3. As per current law, the Texas Board of Nursing and Texas Medical Board jointly regulate NPs. The legislation would give sole regulatory authority to the Texas Board of Nursing.
4. Many physician groups spanning the state oppose the legislation, saying it compromises patient safety as physicians have more training. To gain their NP certificate, eligible parties must complete four years of nursing school and usually complete two years in a graduate-level training program. Primary care physicians must complete four years of medical school and three years of residency training.