HB 84 and SB 584 PASS OUT OF COMMITTEE - Quick Update on APRN Legislation and Suspended Rules

Yesterday, APRN legislation took a BIG step forward in both the Missouri House and the Missouri Senate.

HB 84, a comprehensive barrier reduction bill that seeks to permanently remove the barriers suspended by Gov. Parson’s waivers was overwhelmingly voted out of the House Health & Mental Health Policy Committee by a vote of 13-1.

SB 584, also a barrier reduction bill that removes the requirement to collaborate with new collaborating physicians and removes the “rural area of need” from the telehealth requirements, also passed out of the Senate Professional Registration Committee with a 6-0 vote (including a yes vote from APRN opponent, Sen. Jeanie Riddle).

While there are many steps left to final passage, clearing these hurdles is very significant and positions the issue well. AMNP will be pushing for quick floor debate on the measures and will be working with senators and representatives to craft legislation that benefits patients and APRNs alike.

In addition to the passage of these two bills, Gov. Parson extended the suspended rules until August 31, 2021. This means that the following suspensions will remain in effect at least through August:

• Geographic Proximity – For the duration of the suspension, there are no mileage restrictions for APRNs from their collaborating physicians.
• Chart Review – For the duration of the suspension, APRNs are NOT required to submit charts to their collaborating physician for review.
• One-Month Collaboration - For the duration of the suspension, APRNs are not required to collaborate with new collaborating physicians on site for the one-month period of time before seeing patients independently.
• Home Health Orders - For the duration of the suspension, APRNs are permitted to order home health as part of a treatment plan for patients.
• Hospice Attending - For the duration of the suspension, APRNs may act as the attending provider for hospice patients.

It is important to note that just because the rules are suspended, it does not mean that your employer or collaborating physician cannot still require adherence to the rules prior to suspension. It simply means that they are not required to. AMNP strongly encourages you to have a documented conversation with your collaborating physician and employer about what their expectations may be specific to your circumstance.

In recognition of this progress and to help aid our efforts moving forward, we ask that you please take a few minutes to rank your priorities for barrier reductions by completing this quick survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SKGXC5L . This will help us to prioritize which barriers are the biggest obstacle for NPs throughout Missouri.

Finally, it is necessary for us to point out that the progress over the past few days is a result of months of effort by your association. While we certainly will continue to advocate for independent practice, we continue to work to be your voice in the state capitol and beyond. We sincerely hope that you are or will consider joining us as we fight for you.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at nursepractitioners@missourinp.org