Gov. Parson Declines to Renew the APRN Waivers

Late yesterday afternoon, Gov. Mike Parson issued a press release that the Emergency Executive Order that he enacted in March 2020 to respond to COVID will be rescinded effective December 31st, 2021. Unfortunately for Missouri NPs, this means that the waivers that have been in place for the past 22 months that have given countless patients access to care will not be renewed.

For the past several months, AMNP, MONA, and other nursing and health care organizations have been urging Gov. Parson to renew the waivers that were set to expire. We have consistently affirmed to their office that the waivers have been instrumental in providing access and helped alleviate some of the myriad number of pressures on our already overwhelmed health care system. We have been diligently advocating for NPs with the Governor, his staff, and legislators throughout the state. In numerous conversations with the governor's staff we were led to believe that the waivers would be extended, only to find out the day before they were set to expire that they would not be. 

Obviously this puts an immediate and significant concern in the laps of APRNs who have selflessly devoted themselves to combating the pandemic. The immediate end to the waivers was NOT communicated to permit APRNs, APRN employers, or patients to make alternative plans. The Governor's Office indicated that the Missouri Department of Health would be issuing guidance relating to the expiration of the orders, but provided no timeline for when this would occur.

It is important to note that the expiration of the waivers is part of the overall Executive Order that Gov. Parson issued in March of 2020. While nursing wasn't specifically singled out and ALL of the waivers for multiple different agencies and divisions expired, the expiration of the APRN waivers is extraordinarily detrimental. Like APRNs, other professions and industries will be scrambling to comply with the unfortunate and hasty decision of the governor.

In light of this announcement, AMNP strongly encourages every Missouri APRN to click on the following link to send a message to Gov. Parson that this decision will have significant consequences for health care in Missouri. Please complete the form here: APRN COVID19 Waivers Dec 2021 (salsalabs.org) and feel free to edit the text to whatever you wish.

In addition to filling out the form, we invite you to flood his office with phone calls on Monday to share how the expiration of the waivers will affect you and your patients. Gov. Parson's office can be reached at 573-751-3222.

On top of these actions, AMNP and MONA will be executing an immediate coordinated public relations campaign to draw attention to the effects of the decision to cease the suspension of rules. If you or your patients are willing to be interviewed by the media and you have a compelling story to tell, please contact us at nursepractitioners@missourinp.org and let us know so that we can include you on the list of NPs that the media may contact.

Rest assured that our fight is NOT over. We will continue to advocate for you no matter how difficult the task and appreciate all you do for your patients. We will be in touch with any further instructions and always encourage you to reach out if we can be of assistance.

Regards,

Derek S. Leffert
Executive Director/CEO
Association of Missouri Nurse Practitioners