Group Supports Measure that Will Improve Healthcare While Continuing Work
to Decrease Opioid Prescriptions
Louisville, KY. (March 6, 2018) – The Kentucky Coalition of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse-Midwives (KCNPNM) is responding to a new Senate Bill introduced by physician and state Senator Ralph Alvarado (R-Winchester) that would place increased restrictions on Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) across the state.
The new bill – Senate Bill 260 – seeks to severely restrict the practice and prescribing of APRNs in a manner that has never been seen in Kentucky. APRNs in Kentucky are currently required to obtain the signature of a physician on a prescribing agreement to prescribe controlled substances. In underserved communities where healthcare resources are limited with few or no physicians available, APRNs are often unable to obtain the prescribing agreement and cannot serve their patients. This new bill would only worsen such scenarios, likely forcing some APRNs to close their doors, further reducing healthcare access.
“This new bill will take Kentucky back into the dark ages, in terms of healthcare access,” said Jessica Estes, president of The Kentucky Coalition of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse-Midwives. “We are already one of several states lacking in appropriate healthcare due to restrictions placed on APRNs – we cannot support legislation that does not serve the interest of our patients.”
The KCNPNM says a more realistic and compassionate solution is another bill introduced by Senator Paul Hornback (R-Shelbyville). Senate Bill 89 proposes legislation that would give APRNs the ability to better serve their communities by providing greater access to care, improving healthcare outcomes across the state.
At issue are Kentucky communities struggling to gain proper healthcare access. For example, Health Professional Shortage Areas are geographical areas and populations where the number of primary care providers relative to the population is below the federal standards. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 1 million Kentuckians reside in 87 HPSAs. That equates to approximately 25 percent of Kentucky’s population not having the necessary access to primary care providers. APRNs help close that healthcare gap and improve Kentuckian’s access to healthcare.
In terms of the opioid crisis, legislation like Sen Alvarado’s Senate Bill 260, according to the Pew Family Trust, actually worsen the opioid epidemic because APRNs are limited in their ability to treat those suffering from addiction.
Senate Bill 89, sponsored by Senator Hornback, seeks to remove the requirement for the prescribing agreement after the APRN has prescribed with one for at least four years. The bill will not remove current prescribing limitations. Patients will significantly benefit because more APRNs will be able to establish practices and improve access to care.
KCNPNM has supporting data and documentation that indicates Americans consistently give APRNs high marks for providing excellent, compassionate care along with patient education. The data shows that prescriptions written by Kentucky APRNs for Schedule II opioids have shown more decrease than those of dentists or physicians in the same time period (2015 vs. 2017). Additionally, data shows that states that allow APRNs full practice authority are faring better in terms of reducing opioid prescriptions and addiction than in states like Kentucky where restrictions are imposed.
The Kentucky Coalition of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse-Midwives
The Kentucky Coalition of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse-Midwives serves to empower Kentucky Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in providing quality, accessible and compassionate healthcare through education, leadership and advocacy. Our vision is to ensure Kentucky APRNs will be recognized as full partners and leaders in the development of health policy, provision of quality health care, and advocacy for the people of the Commonwealth
