As 2017 draws to an end I would like to take this opportunity to update you on current federal and state legislation. As your AANP State Representative I will be communicating with you about different legislation and how it can impact your practice.
State Legislation:
It’s been another busy legislative session for NP licensure in Harrisburg. The effort to retire the collaborative agreements and move PA closer to the national model for NP legislation made strong, early strides. This year two companion bills were introduced—one in the House and one in the Senate. Senate Bill 25 cleared the Senate with strong support. BothHB100andSB25are currently in the House Professional Licensure committee.
Our Pennsylvania session runs for a two year cycle so both bills have the next year to be voted out of the House committee and then voted on in the PA House.
AANP supports efforts that allows NPs to practice to the full extent of their education, training and national certification, and provide patients with increased access to health care. The association is excited about the progress made with advancing SB25, and the increasing stakeholder support this year for both SB25 and HB100. We know that success has come from the sustained effort by the NP community in Pennsylvania.
Several of our AANP state Nurse Practitioner Organization members have been working on this effort. Local news on the effort can be found on their association websites (click here for a directory), and additional information on Full Practice Authority is available on the AANP website or by contacting AANP.
Other bills in session include:
HB1648- was introduced to provide reimbursements for telemedicine. The bill contained provider neutral language that would include Nurse Practitioners in the state of PA. This bill is currently in committee in the Insurance Committee.
HB 646- this bill would make an attack on a “health care provider” an offence of aggravated assault. HB 646 is currently in the Judiciary Committee.
SB 623– this bill would codify a POLST form and creates a Subchapter F, Chapter 54, Title 20 to govern Pennsylvania Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment. This bill was reported from committee on December 12.
Federal Legislation:
HR 1825/S. 445– A bill to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to Ensure More Timely Access to Home Health Services for Medicare Beneficiaries Under the Medicare Program. Allowing Nurse Practitioners to certify eligibility without physician documentation.
H.R. 1617– this bill would authorize nurse practitioners (NPs) to certify their patient’s need for therapeutic shoes.
H.R. 1160– would improve the way beneficiaries are assigned under the Medicare Shared Savings Program. This legislation would allow the assignment of nurse practitioner patients to Medicare Shared Savings ACOs.
For more information on AANP federal legislation and call-to-action items, visit the AANP website and look under the Advocacy center. If you are interested in learning more about NP advocacy join me at the 2018 Health Policy Conference in Washington, DC,February 4-6.
Thank you for letting me serve as your AANP State Representative. Please contact me with any concerns or issues.
Happy Holidays
Donald Bucher
DNP, ACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCP, AANP Pennsylvania State Representative
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