A bill being debated in Louisiana would allow nurse practitioners to have full practice authority, meaning they wouldn’t have to work with a doctor to treat patients.
The bill, which has been shot down multiple times by lawmakers, has many medical professionals divided.
It’s hotly contested legislation. House Bill 495 is aimed to allow nurse practitioners to practice medicine independently of doctors in Louisiana.
“For us to practice, we have to have a physician in the same specialty that we’re practicing and sign, essentially, a piece of paper that says they’ll collaborate with us if needed,” said Jessica Barton, J.I. Barron Elementary Family Nurse Practitioner with Trinity Community Health Centers of Louisiana.
The current law makes it illegal for nurse practitioners to see patients without a designated collaborator.
Medical professionals are divided when it comes to the bill, with some doctors saying patient safety is at stake, but many nurse practitioners claim they already practice relatively independently.
Region Six Office of Public Health Director Dr. David Holcombe says the relationship between doctors and nurse practitioners can vary greatly.
“You can see everything from no control whatsoever, no oversight, to very rather strict oversight through the review of charts and the review of discussions and so forth,” said Dr. Holcombe.
