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Pass nurse practioner law

Over the years, the role of the nurse has broadened in response to advances in science and changes in health care needs. With this change, additional formal education and training for nurses became commonplace, leading to the development of the advanced practice nurse.

Studies report that APNs often provide equivalent or improved medical care at a lower total cost than physicians. Typically, the hourly cost of a nurse practioner is one-third to one-half that of a physician.

Currently, 25 states allow APNs to practice independently without the constraints or supervision of a physician. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is not one of those.

There currently is a bill awaiting approval by the state Legislature that will hopefully lift the outdated mandate in Pennsylvania and will allow practitioners to provide care to consumers in the full extent of their education and training. Lifting this unnecessary restriction will reduce the delays to consumers who have limited access to care.

Passing this bill will not only bring Pennsylvania up to date with the other 25 states, it will broaden the access for consumers to primary care and finally acknowledge that nurse practitioners are valuable, competent and cost-effective clinicians.

Kimberly Cuiffi

Plum