State legislators are introducing bills and the legislative process of referring bills to committees is beginning. Below, we highlight some of the bills being introduced that could impact radiology.
Scope of Practice
Indiana
Senate Bill (SB) 246 states that Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNS) may only practice in collaboration with a licensed practitioner who specializes in the same practice area as the APRN. This bill would also allow for a physician to enter into a collaboration agreement with a maximum of four APRNs.
SB 383/House Bill(HB) 1116 would remove the requirement that an APRN have a practice agreement with a collaborating physician. This bill would also remove a provision requiring an APRN to operate under a collaborative practice agreement or the privileges granted by a hospital governing board.
Mississippi
HB 37 would allow APRNs and Physician Assistants (PAs) to certify the cause of death of a person and sign a death certificate instead of a physician if the APRN or PA was the primary person who attended to the care of the decedent before their death.
HB 98 would allow APRNs who have completed 3,600 practice hours, to be exempt from entering and maintaining a collaborative/consultative relationship with a licensed physician.
Missouri
SB 144 would permit an APRN who has completed 2,000 hours with a collaborating physician and whose license is in good standing, to no longer be required to enter into or remain in a collaborative agreement.
SB 179 would permit an APRN who has completed 2,000 hours with a collaborating physician and whose license is in good standing, to no longer be required to enter into a collaborative agreement.
HB 763 would permit an APRN who has been in a collaborative practice arrangement for 6,000 hours to no longer enter into a collaborative practice agreement.
Montana
Legislative Council (LC) 2071 would enjoin Montana into the APRN Compact. This compact allows APRNs who meet its eligibility requirements to practice in other compact states.
LC 2875 would increase the number of PAs from 1 to 2, that would sit on the Montana Board of Medical Examiners.
New York
SB 1505 would enjoin New York into the interstate medical licensure compact. The interstate medical licensure compact allows physicians who meet the compact’s eligibility requirements to practice medicine in other compact states.
North Dakota
SB 2108 would enjoin North Dakota into the physician assistant (PA) licensure compact. This compact allows PAs who meet their eligibility requirements to practice in other compact states.
Texas
HB 1756 would allow APRNs to order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests.
Medicaid Payment
Connecticut
SB 171 would require the Connecticut Commissioner of Social Services to raise Medicaid payment rates for radiological services.
Out-of-Network / Surprise / Balance Billing
Connecticut
SB 454 would allow covered persons to terminate coverage and procure alternate health insurance without penalty when such covered person’s health care provider(s) are designated out-of-network.
For more information on these bills, contact Dillon Harp, American College of Radiology® (ACR®) Senior State Government Relations Specialist. ACR is committed to supporting its chapters in their state-level advocacy efforts. The College is ready to assist with sending legislative calls-to-action and mobilizing your grassroots. For state-level calls to action, chapter leaders should contact Eugenia Brandt, ACR Senior Government Relations Director and Melody Ballesteros, ACR Assistant Director Government Relations.