Healthcare is a basic human right but for some people it is not always easily accessible. Aside from the high costs associated with healthcare in the U.S., in many rural areas of Pennsylvania, residents lack access to affordable healthcare. Some Pennsylvania legislators are now working to improve access to healthcare across the state by toiling to pass House Bill 765. Citing a lack of physicians who elect to open general, family practices in rural areas, state Rep. Jesse Topper introduced House Bill 765 that would allow nurse practitioners to practice without the current state law requirement of a collaborative agreement with a physician.
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
The nurse practitioner designation means that the nurse has completed an advanced level of education, typically a master’s or doctoral degree. A nurse practitioner is licensed to be able to perform several of the same tasks as physicians such as prescribing medication, ordering lab tests for patients, and signing death certificates. Currently, Pennsylvania state law requires that nurse practitioners practice under the auspices of a collaborative agreement with a physician. Lawmakers who support the passage of House Bill 765 argue that the collaborative agreement requirement creates an unnecessary level of bureaucracy and burden upon nurse practitioners, with the unintended result of the clustering of nurse practitioner practices where physicians are located, in urban and suburban areas.
Opponents Concerned with Perceived Status of Nurse Practitioners
Opponents of the bill are concerned that removing the collaborative agreement requirement will result in nurse practitioners being viewed as having equal medical authority and knowledge to physicians. Opponents cite the fact that physicians must complete several more years of formal medical education and training than nurse practitioners. Some are also concerned that independent nurse practitioners practices could result in situations of delays in diagnosis, inappropriate tests and care and as such, increased costs.
Advocates Say Team Based Care Model Not in Jeopardy
Advocates note that 20 other states have eliminated their collaborative practice requirements in an effort to spur increased access to affordable healthcare in rural areas. Advocates argue that removing the additional bureaucratic and financial burden of collaborative agreements (many nurse practitioners pay a monthly stipend or a percentage of their revenue in exchange for a collaborative agreement with a doctor) will not result in an end to the team based model of patient care. In fact, some industry watchers point to the fact that the team based model of patient care has been flourishing due to advanced technological capabilities that support remote communication and collaboration between providers and patients as well.
Philadelphia Health Care Lawyers at Michelman & Bricker Provide Nurse Practitioners with Superior Legal Representation
Philadelphia health care lawyers of Michelman & Bricker, PC use their knowledge and experience to provide legal representation to Nurse Practitioners and Physicians for medical license defense, defense of practice, defense of administrative claims, as well as board certifications, credentialing issues and commercial enterprise matters. Call 215-557-9440 or complete an online contact form to schedule a consultation today with our Philadelphia health care law attorneys. Our offices are conveniently located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Longmeadow, Massachusetts allowing us to serve clients in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Cherry Hill and throughout Camden County.