HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 122

(By Delegates Perdue, Fleischauer, Diserio, Staggers, Eldridge, Kinsey, Moore, Ellington, Sobonya and Miller)

[Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources; Reported March 3, 2014]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the feasibility of the following changes to the regulatory requirements of advanced practice registered nurses (APRN): expanding of scope of practice; expanding prescriptive authority; permitting annual prescriptions supplies; permitting that a signature have the same effect as a physician insofar as patient care documentation in concerned; and removing the collaborative relationship with physicians.

    WHEREAS, West Virginia faces many challenges in meeting the health care needs of its citizens with nearly half of the total population residing in rural areas; and

    WHEREAS, These citizens have high rates of chronic illness, unhealthy lifestyles and have geographic and financial limitations in accessing health care providers; and

    WHEREAS, The influx of newly insured individuals may strain an already fragile health care system that is not able to meet the health care needs of its current population; and

    WHEREAS, There is a growing shortage of primary care physicians in West Virginia; and

    WHEREAS, APRNs have provided not only primary health care for over five decades, but also practice in ambulatory, acute and long-term care settings; and

    WHEREAS, Though nurse practitioners can legally practice in all states, the ability of APRNs to practice to the full extent of their education and training is dictated by individual state laws; and

    WHEREAS, Eighteen states and the District of Columbia allow APRNs to practice and prescribe independently without direct physician supervision or collaboration; and

    WHEREAS, West Virginia’s current APRN laws mandate that they collaborate with physicians; this requirement may limit implementing innovative solutions such as nurse-managed rural health or mobile clinics; and

    WHEREAS, A 2010 Institute of Medicine report calls for states to remove unnecessary barriers that prevent APRNs from practicing to the full extent of their educational training; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to conduct a study of the feasibility of the following changes to the regulatory requirements of advanced practice registered nurses (APRN): expanding of scope of practice; expanding prescriptive authority; permitting annual prescriptions supplies; permitting that a signature have the same effect as a physician insofar as patient care documentation in concerned; and removing the collaborative relationship with physicians; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2015, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.