Time to free up nurse practitioners
As a nurse and a health care CEO, I know that access to basic primary health care services is key to a quality life. Regular primary care visits can detect problems early, control chronic conditions and ensure treatments are followed.
Unfortunately, those services are increasingly difficult for many Oklahomans to come by. The state faces a crisis in access to primary health care services, and a recent poll shows Oklahomans overwhelmingly favor changing outdated rules so that nurse practitioners can be a part of the solution.
Twenty-two states have modernized their laws to allow nurse practitioners and advanced practice registered nurses to have full practice authority. A poll commissioned in October by AARP Oklahoma found that more than 87 percent of respondents support doing the same in our state, with 62.4 percent strongly supporting the idea and 24.8 percent somewhat supporting the idea.
This action is overdue for Oklahoma, which ranks 49th in physicianto-patient ratio. Nurse practitioners are highly trained and educated, with many having doctoral degrees. Many also specialize in areas such as diabetes management or elder care, and can visit elderly patients in their homes.
This is crucial as Oklahoma’s population gets older and health care providers become ever more scarce in rural areas and small communities. A 45-minute drive to a health care provider is an inconvenience for anyone, but it can be impossible for some elderly or disabled Americans.
A measure that would have allowed nurse practitioners to care for more Oklahomans, House Bill 1013 by Rep. Josh Cockroft and Sen. AJ Griffin, easily passed the House of Representatives last year but failed to get a hearing in a Senate committee. This is unacceptable. I’ve seen the dedication, skill and professionalism of Oklahoma’s nurse practitioners firsthand. I know they’re capable of doing more.
As a member of AARP Oklahoma’s Executive Council, I’ve also seen the need. In every corner of the state, older residents lack access to the basic health care they need to live quality and fulfilling lives.
The need is there and it’s very real. Fortunately, those with the education and training to meet the need are also there. It’s time for the Legislature to let them get to work.