HB 607 Advanced Practice Nurses clears first committee hearing

HB 607: Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) sponsored by Representative Dr. Cary Pigman has passed its first Florida House committee hearing with 14 YEAS and 1 NAY vote. This bill would allow APRNs to practice to the full extent of their education and training without unnecessary and costly physician oversight or supervision.

Dr. Pigman did introduced one substantive amendment to the bill that would include Physicians Assistants to also practice autonomously.  The amendment did not receive any significant opposition and was included in the legislation.

Several representatives of the Florida Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses member organizations were present to testify in support of the bill.  (Mai Kung, Florida Nurses Association; Erik Rauch, Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Doreen Cassarino, Florida Nurse Practitioner Network; Jean Aertker, Nurse Practitioners in Business)  Their compelling testimony helped to influence legislators to support this vital legislation.

HB 607: Advanced Practice Registered Nurses would increase access to care for many Floridians, reduce cost of care and provide greater care for underserved and rural communities.  Under the bill APRN autonomous practice would be optional, (individuals would need to apply for the privilege with the board of nursing) and requires a minimum of 2000 hours of practice under the supervision of a physician prior to being granted full practice authority.

The bill will now move to the House Health Care Appropriations Committee and the Health and Human Services Committee.  The Florida Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses encourages individuals to reach out to members of these committees and ask them to support the legislation.

To view video from the hearing click below:

https://thefloridachannel.org/videos/12-11-19-house-health-quality-subcommittee/