A Florida House subcommittee approved a bill that would allow advanced practice registered nurses to practice without physician supervision, FLAPOL reports.
What you should know:
1. The House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee passed HB 821, which would delete a provision in state law requiring physician supervision of certified registered nurse anesthetists, with an 8-2 vote.
2. During the hearing, the subcommittee amended HB 821 to provide $219,089 for the creation of application and regulatory oversight positions.
3. HB 821 will now move to the Florida House Health and Human Services Committee.
4. Organizations supporting the bill include the Florida Hospital Association, Florida Chamber of Commerce and Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists. In a statement, FANA said the bill would allow APRNs to "practice to the full extent of their education and training." CRNAs who support the bill said they are capable of providing care without physician supervision.
"I work with anesthesiologists," CRNA Ryan Harvey told FLAPOL. "There's no secret knowledge they're keeping from me."
5. Florida Medical Association President Cory Howard, who opposes the bill, said it doesn't include provisions incentivizing APRNs to practice in rural areas where improved healthcare access is needed.
A poll commissioned by the Florida Society of Anesthesiologists before the bill was approved found Florida patients favor physician-led anesthesia care. Eighty percent of respondents to the Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy survey said physician anesthesiologists should be the primary decision-makers in the operating room. However, 15 percent said CRNAs "should be on equal footing" with regards to decision-making.