NP Friends and Colleagues, 

The time is now to act on House Bill 2066, which was passed by the Health Committee today! It now moves to the House of Representatives and will be voted on by the end of this week. Please see an attached document with a summary of the bill.  Please read the following information and take 5 minutes to email or call your state representative to express your support of this bill. If you are not sure who your legislators are, visit http://www.kslegislature.org/li/ and click on “find your legislator.” Feel free to share this with others!

 

Suggested email, can simply copy and paste + fill in blanks:

Representative _______,

My name is ________ and I am writing to ask your support of HB 2066, updates of the APRN statutes.

HB 2066 will:
Remove the requirement for physician-signed protocol to prescribe medication, or "full practice authority"
Retire the need for the physician-signed agreement to practice
Require national certification for licensure
Require APRNs to join the Health Care Stabilization Fund
Supporting full practice authority for APRNs can:
Increase the number of primary care APRNs in Kansas- more access to care for Kansans-healthier population
Decrease health care costs
Full Practice Authority has proven effective quality care
22 states  and the District of Columbia have passed this legislation
Improved access to care for veterans in the  Veterans Administration Hospitals and clinics (implemented Dec. 2017)
Increased APRNs in states that have passed this legislation, increased access to care for rural areas and underserved populations
APRNs provide the majority of mental health medication management in the rural Kansas counties. Full practice authority for APRNs insures continuity of cares for this vulnerable population.

Finally, please consider these points:
APRNs practice advanced practice nursing. Physicians practice medicine. There is undeniable overlap of the two professions; we do work well as a team and will continue that model of care. Collaboration does not go away with our bill.
Nursing should govern nursing. Physicians cannot fairly regulate nursing, as evidenced by the failed 2016 Nurse Midwife law that is still without congruent regulations.
AARP survey of Kansas voters - 87% support APRNs as primary care providers.
The Kansas Chamber of Commerce supports this bill because it will help decrease health care costs and increase access to care for Kansas businesses.
I know physicians will try to tell you that passing this bill means APRNs can practice medicine and surgery. That simply is not a logical conclusion. APRNs practice within their education, training and certification, and not outside of those boundaries, the same for any professional. The scope of practice for APRNs does not change.

Support HB 2066 for access to care for your constituents.  Thanks for your time and consideration. Please be mindful of your own health, get regular check ups. This bill truly improves access to high quality healthcare for the sunflower state. 

 

Caring for all of Kansas-
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