Rep. Josh Cockroft wants to allow nurse practitioners and advanced practice nurses to help fill the gaps in rural health care. He’s proposing House Bill 1013 to give full practice authority so they can provide health care services in line with their education and training without a collaborative agreement with a physician.
Current state law allows physicians to sign agreement with only two nurse practitioners at any one time.
“In many cases, there is no actual collaboration with the physician,” said Cockroft. “This makes the requirement meaningless and only slows Oklahomans’ – particularly those in rural areas – access to valid health care services. It already is hard for those in rural areas to find adequate services, and frankly this rule hampers economic development in our rural communities.”
A similar bill was filed last year and gained support from several lawmakers, however, it was never given a committee hearing. Cockroft’s version has the support of the Association of Oklahoma Nurse Practitioners (AONP). Oklahoma is one of 12 states that require physician agreements according to Cockroft.
“Allowing nurse practitioners to provide the services for which they are trained and educated will benefit Oklahomans who deserve this relief,” Cockroft said.
