Advocacy win: APRN scope expansion bill defeated in Louisiana

Recently, the AOA and the Louisiana Osteopathic Medical Association (LOMA) partnered on multiple grassroots campaigns to oppose a Louisiana bill (HB 495) that would have greatly expanded the scope of practice for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). As written, this bill would have enabled APRNs to perform a wide range of medical services, including prescribing pharmacological substances, without any physician involvement or medical board oversight.

Because of the efforts of many, the Louisiana state legislature did not pass the bill and the legislature has adjourned for the year.

While the defeat of HB 495 is a win for physicians and patients in Louisiana, the state legislature could attempt to pass a similar bill when they are back in session. The AOA and the LOMA will be monitoring the situation when the next legislative session begins in March 2022.

DOs and osteopathic medical students who are interested in participating in the AOA’s advocacy efforts can join its Osteopathic Advocacy Network.

Related reading:

AOA statement on physician-led care, physician assistant title change and non-physician clinician use of the title ‘doctor’

Expanding GME, rather than expanding scope of practice, can alleviate looming physician shortage, DO writes