In 2020, California took steps to close the provider gap with the passage of AB 890, which allowed NPs to practice to the full extent of their education and training. AB 852 (Wood) clarifies existing law to ensure that California nurse practitioners are fully recognized as independent providers in all relevant California code sections. Its passage is important to continue to move the state closer towards the goal of
NPs play a vital role in the healthcare system helping to serve:
NPs in states without physician supervisory requirements are more likely to work in rural communities.
Even before the pandemic, 7 million Californians, primarily Latinos, African Americans and Native Americans, suffered from a shortfall of health care providers.
NPs accept greater numbers of uninsured, Medi-Cal and Medicare patients.
and a third of the psychiatrists it needs. There shortages threaten California’s health care goals regarding coverage and access for underserved populations and Medi-Cal expansion. Expanding access to nurse practitioners only helps us close the provider gap if all appropriate California code sections are updated to ensure that qualified NPs are authorized to work without physician supervision.
AB 852 is a critical step to ensuring that AB 890 is implemented as intended by the Legislature and Governor.
Fully utilizing nurse practitioners to help close the state’s growing provider gap will lead to:
Research shows NPs deliver comparable care to physicians with lower rates of hospitalization and ER visits.
Over 90% of NPs accept Medi-Cal and Medicare, and 86% see uninsured patients.
If full practice authority is achieved by 2020, California would see 50,000 fewer revisits to emergency departments – resulting on cost savings of $58 million annually.
Over 58% of NPs specialize in primary care.
There’s no reason not to let nurse practitioners do more while also trying to help increase the supply of primary care doctors – both are necessary… coverage is meaningless if there’s no one available to provide the care you need.
Los Angeles Times: Editorial: Nurse practitioners can improve Californians’ access to health care
Everyone deserves access to primary care and there just aren’t enough of those doctors in California. Let’s get everyone the care they need by making best use of our well-trained nurse practitioners and modernizing old supervisory requirements to allow those nurses to do what they do best - ensure access to care for all.
Carmela Coyle, President & CEO, California Hospital Association