Two bills could expand the roles of nurse practitioners and pharmacists in California, as experts debate the scope of care they should provide in clinical settings.
Two bills could expand the roles of nurse practitioners and pharmacists in California, as experts debate the scope of care they should provide in clinical settings. The rulings stir controversy as some question whether or not these professionals would be capable of providing quality medical services.
Senator Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina) wrote the bills SB 491 and SB 493 intending to allow nurse practitioners and pharmacists to operate independent of physicians in medical facilities including those like hospitals or clinics.
"We heard thoughtful testimony last week and it was clear that members wanted to find common ground to help California bridge the provider gap and ensure that we all have access to quality healthcare," said Sen. Hernandez.
With SB 491, doctors worry about patient safety under nurse practitioner care.
“If SB 491 becomes law, nurse practitioners will be allowed to practice without any supervision by a physician, despite the enormous differences in education and training between the two," said Dr Paul Phinney, president of the California Medical Association. "SB 491 allows nurse practitioners to diagnose and treat patients beyond their capabilities and without any additional training, jeopardizing patient safety."
SB 493, which allows pharmacists to administer certain vaccines and prescribe drugs like nicotine patches or hormonal contraceptives, was better received. It passed 18-0 in the California Assembly Health Committee.
With health reform law, there are worries as to whether there will be enough doctors to meet the volume of patients seeking care. Bill supporters see the change in regulations as an opportunity to meet demands, and increase people’s access to providers.
"If we are going to be mandating that every single person buy health insurance, then we better make sure that there’s enough people to see these people safely," added Hernandez.
Around the Web
California Nurse Practitioner Bill, with Major Changes, Advances in Legislature
Bills on Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists Advance in Assembly [Los Angeles Times]
Perioperative Nivolumab Boosts NSCLC Survival: CheckMate 77T Trial
May 16th 2024This interim analysis of the CheckMate 77T trial, outcomes were compared between adult patients receiving neoadjuvant nivolumab plus chemotherapy or neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus placebo for resectable non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Read More
Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity: Urban Health Outreach
May 9th 2024In the series debut episode of "Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity," Mary Sligh, CRNP, and Chelsea Chappars, of Allegheny Health Network, explain how the Urban Health Outreach program aims to improve health equity for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Listen
Decitabine, Venetoclax Combo Boosts Survival in Patients With AML and MDS
May 16th 2024Study findings demonstrate that combining decitabine with venetoclax enhances molecular response rates in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), correlating strongly with improved clinical outcomes and overall survival.
Read More
Congress Urged to Repeal Comstock Act Threatening Reproductive Rights and Public Health
May 16th 2024In a joint letter addressed to Congress, Healthcare Across Borders, Take Back the Court Action Fund, and UltraViolet Action called out the resurgence of the Comstock Act, urging immediate action to repeal this century-old law that threatens reproductive rights and public health in the US.
Read More