SEEKING FULL PRACTICE AUTHORITY FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES IN ILLINOIS Susan Y Swart MS, RN, CAE Current Status HB 421 & SB 1315 •HB 421 sponsor Representative Sara Feigenholtz •SB 1315 sponsor Senator Heather Steans •Weekly negotiations with Illinois State Medical Society Basics Facts HOW MANY STATES HAVE FULL PRACTICE AUTHORITY? •20 states and the District of Columbia authorize full practice authority upon graduation. ◦ Alaska, Arizona, DC, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Minnesota, Connecticut, New York ◦ Iowa ◦ western border of Illinois, many APNs live in Illinois and work in Iowa as it has fewer practice restrictions. What is Full Practice Authority? •Removing the mandate for the written collaborative agreement in order for APNs to practice fully to the level of their education and expertise. Policy Trends •9 states have a supervised transition-to-practice period prior to full practice authority •8 passed such legislation after the implementation of the ACA ◦ Maine, Colorado, Vermont, Nevada, Minnesota, New York, Connecticut, Nebraska ◦ Supervised transition to practice- no evidence of public protection for consumers but seen as a compromise with the medical societies What this bill does…. •Retires a paper-only agreement that adds bureaucratic layers that often delays and obstructs patient care, especially for those receiving Medicaid services. •Improves Access to needed services in all area of Illinois, especially for people in underserved urban or rural practices including those receiving care within Medicaid Managed Care. •Assists the state to address primary care workforce provider shortages by eliminating the unwarranted bureaucratic restriction of requiring physician to sign the written collaborative agreement in order for an APN to provide care. •Makes care delivery more efficient by providing patients direct access to the full scope of services an APN can offer without delays. •Decreases costs by removing duplication of services. •Protects patient choice by allowing patients to see the health care provider of their choice. What this bill does not do… •Eliminate collaboration between APNs and physicians which is done routinely in a team care environment •Eliminate the need for physician services What can you do to help? •Identify physician colleagues in support •Contact YOUR legislator and indicate your support