AARP Supports Expanded Scope of Practice for Nurse Practitioners

(SACRAMENTO, CA) - AARP California State President, George Davis, released the following statement regarding the passage of SB 491 (Hernandez) out of the State Senate:

 

“AARP commends the State Senate for passing SB 491.  This bill will allow California’s 17,000 nurse practitioners to practice within their scope of their training. It will eliminate the outdated requirement that physicians supervise nurse practitioners, and recognizes that their education and training provides nurse practitioners with the skills and capabilities required to provide high quality health care.

 

AARP is committed to championing access to affordable, quality health care for all Californians, we strongly urge the entire Legislature to increase consumers’ access to health care by modernizing the scope of practice laws that regulate advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), which include nurse practitioners, and the services they provide.

 

Seventeen (17) other states have passed similar laws with no decline in the quality of care provided to patients.  Studies by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences confirm that nurse practitioners provide cost-effective and safe care for their patients. Expanding access to primary care practitioners is especially important in the full implementation of the Affordable Care Act.  Increasing consumers’ access to care is supported by leaders in policy and science, and California is already experiencing a shortage of primary care practitioners.

 

Nurse practitioners are a well-tested profession, with remarkable safety and efficacy standards.  Study after study shows that when NPs provide care, the standard of care is comparable or greater than that given by physicians.

 

We look forward to working with members of the legislature and other stakeholders to see that SB 491 passes the State Assembly.”