I am writing to you about the scope of practice laws that currently hinder highly trained health care professionals such as Pennsylvania’s Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). We need to reform these scope of practice laws because a significant number of Pennsylvanians reside in regions underserved by the current health care system. This legislation would remove restrictions on APRNs meeting certain requirements, allowing them to provide care and services free from outlived licensing and administrative barriers. PA is in the minority of states restricting APRNs practice authority, as twenty-six states and D.C. allow full practice authority.
APRNs are highly trained at the masters and doctorate levels to deliver important primary and specialty care. Their expertise remains essential at hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and long-term care facilities to ensure patients receive lifesaving medical care.
Current PA law requires APRNs to work under the supervision of physicians through mandatory contracts. These arrangements severely restrict the capacity of these qualified providers to serve patients and limit availability of quality care for many regions.
I encourage you to support Senate Bill 25, Modernization of the Professional Nursing Law, that would implement the scope of practice reforms that we need to make quality health care more affordable and accessible for our Commonwealth’s residents. It is time to remove bureaucratic barriers and empower APRNs to deliver essential health care where patients need it most.
Please use this critical opportunity to support scope of practice reforms to give your constituents greater access to personalized health care that they can rely on for themselves and their families.
