Bill to Expand Access to Health Care Advances

SB717 Voted out of Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee









Harrisburg, PA (May 18) – The Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners (PCNP) applauded the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee Wednesday for its vote to improve health care across Pennsylvania. The committee voted to advance Senate Bill 717, which will modernize state law for nurse practitioners (NPs) as a way to boost quality, lower costs and expand access for Pennsylvania health care.

PCNP President Lorraine Bock praised lawmakers for supporting the legislation and defending the health care needs of the state’s vulnerable populations.

“Patients across Pennsylvania applaud lawmakers for their vote today to improve quality, lower costs and expand access to health care in Pennsylvania. By advancing Senate Bill 717, Senators sent a clear message: patients in our state deserve the best quality health care and they should not lose out because of outdated laws.”

“With this vote, Pennsylvania is one step closer to joining the growing number of states that enable nurse practitioners to serve seniors, rural communities, and all patients to the full extent of their education and training.”





The bill as passed by committee includes a compromise – authored by State Senator Lisa Boscola – that would require nurse practitioners to practice for 3 years and 3,600 hours under a collaborative agreement with two physicians, as they do today. After completing this transition-to-practice period, NPs would have full practice authority and no longer be mandated to obtain these contracts.





3 years and 3,600 hours represents the longest transition period of any state in the country.





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