The House Health and Aging Committee hearing on House Bill (HB) 216, a proposal to allow advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) independent practice in Ohio, is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, January 20.
Now is the time to call and let members of the House Health and Aging Committee know of your opposition to HB 216.
Listed below are the committee members who we are targeting for calls. It is particularly important for you to call any committee members from your part of the state.
- Representative Barbara R. Sears (R-Sylvania, OH) – 614.466.1731
- Representative Tim W. Brown (R-Bowling Green, OH) – 614.466.8104
- Representative Kirk Schuring (R-Canton, OH) – 614.752.2438
- Representative Robert Sprague (R-Findlay, OH) – 614.466.3819
- Representative Sarah LaTourette (R-Geauga and Portage Counties) – 614.644.5088
- Representative Timothy E. Ginter (R-Columbiana County) – 614.466.8022
- Chair Anne Gonzales (R-Westerville, OH) – 614.466.4847
- Representative Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood, OH) – 614.466.5921
- Representative John Barnes, Jr. (D-Cleveland) – 614.466.1408
- Representative Heather Bishoff (D-Blacklick, OH) – 614.644.6002
- Representative Jim Butler (R-Oakwood, OH) – 614.644.6008
- Representative Christie Bryant Kuhns (D-Cincinnati) – 614.466.1645
- Representative Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown, OH) – 614.466.9435
- Representative Dan Ramos (D-Lorain, OH) – 614.466.5141
- Representative Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron, OH) – 614.466.3100.
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians opposes the legislation, as introduced, for the following reasons:
- APRNs and physician assistants (PAs) are more likely to take care of stable, chronically ill patients, to take care of patients after the patient’s diagnosis has been made by a physician, and to provide patient education and wellness coaching
- Physicians are more likely to care for more complex diseases/syndromes and patients with multiple chronic conditions, and to make the initial diagnosis that physician-led teams assure that the most appropriate care is made available to patients.
- Only 12% of APRNs practice in outpatient settings
- Most APRNs are practicing in sub-specialties, not primary care; only an estimated 30% to 35% of APRNs practice primary care.
Education and training differences are vast. Physicians have at least 11 years of education and training while APRNs have five and a half to seven years education. The training of an APRN is more equivalent to a third-year medical student than a primary care physician who has completed four years of medical school and a three-year residency program. Patients highly value the additional education and training that physicians receive. Surveys show that 90% of patient respondents feel a physician’s additional years of medical education and training are vital to optimal patient care.
Ohio needs greater accountability over prescribing, not less. Yet, HB 216 would allow Ohio’s more than 10,000 APRNs to prescribe medications—including addictive and dangerous Schedule II drugs, such as, hydrocodone, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, percocet, fentanyl, and vicodin – without consulting a physician.
The roles of a physician and a nurse are not interchangeable. HB 216 unreasonably expands the scope of practice for APRNs. If HB 216 passes, APRNs would be able to order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe addictive narcotics, and develop treatment plans without consulting a physician. While APRNs have a unique and important role in health care, they have not completed medical school and residency training that affords them with the same knowledge, training, experience, and skills as those who have completed medical school and residency training.
Learn more on the OAFP website.
Remember, make your calls prior to Wednesday, January 20!