North Carolina advances breast cancer screening and scope-of-practice legislation for physician assistants (PAs). Breast cancer screening legislation passes in the Connecticut House and a bill modifying advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) supervision clears the Delaware House.
Breast Cancer Screening
In Connecticut, (House Bill) HB 6626 passed the House of Representatives. The bill would mandate carriers cover diagnostic and baseline screening mammograms, which may be provided by breast tomosynthesis, for enrollees that are:
- 35–39 years of age.
- Younger than 35 years of age if the enrollee is believed to be at increased risk for breast cancer due to:
-A family history of breast cancer.
-Positive genetic testing for the harmful variant of breast cancer gene one, breast cancer gene two or any other gene variant that materially increases the
insured's risk for breast cancer.
In North Carolina, HB 703 passed the House of Representatives. The bill would mandate carriers that cover screening mammograms to also cover diagnostic examinations, including low-dose mammography, breast MRI and breast ultrasound.
Scope of Practice
In Delaware, HB 141 passed the House of Representatives. Bill supporters seek to remove physician supervision of APRNs and permit the Board of Nursing to grant full practice authority upon the issuance of an APRN license. Supporters also seek to permit APRNs to plan and initiate a therapeutic regimen that includes ordering diagnostic and supportive services.
In North Carolina, (Senate Bill) SB 345 passed the Senate. The bill’s supporters seek to permit PAs to practice without physician supervision if:
- The PA practices in “team-based” settings.
- The PA has more than 4,000 hours of practice experience as a licensed PA and more than 1,000 hours of practice within the specific medical specialty of practice under physician supervision.
PAs would be permitted to plan and initiate a therapeutic regimen that includes ordering and prescribing non-pharmacological interventions, including durable medical equipment. However, they would be prohibited from performing final interpretations of diagnostic imaging, which would include: all plain film radiographs, CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography, mammography, and ultrasound goods and services.
For more information, please contact Tina Getachew or Eugenia Brandt.
To stay current on state legislative developments relevant to radiology, view our policy map.