Success - Labor and Industries Bill Passed!
"This bill repeals the expiration provision in the act authorizing nurse
practitioners to treat those covered by industrial insurance."
Governor Christine Gregoire, May 2, 2007.
2007 Legislative Wrap Up
HB 1666: Passage of 2nd (final) Labor and Industries Bill
This bill allows ARNPs to continue to sign Labor and Industry accident report forms and certify time loss for injured workers. A similar bill passed in 2004, which first authorized ARNPs to perform these functions without a physician signature. However, the 2004 law was scheduled to sunset on June 30, 2007. Passage of HB 1666 ensures that ARNPs can now do so on a permanent basis.
HB 2209 Allows ARNPs to examine and obtain copies of autopsy reports
This bill allows confidential records of autopsies to be released to a decedent's ARNP, as well as a decedent's attending physician. Prior to the passage of this bill, the autopsy report was only shared with the decedent’s physician.
E2SSB 5930 Provides high quality, affordable health care to Washingtonians based on the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on health care costs and access
This law will initiate a wide variety of projects related to health care quality, cost, and access. For more information, go to: http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2007-08/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Passed%20Legislature/5930-S2.PL.pdf. Of interest to ARNPs are the following:
Health Technology and Information Projects:
The Health Care Authority must design a consumer-centric health information infrastructure with a health record bank, and implement pilot sites that promote electronic medical records and health information exchange, as funding allows. Access to the University of Washington Health Sciences Library is expanded for health professionals, with an increase to the licensing fees of up to $25 annually. Nurse license fees will also support a central nursing resource center, until June 30, 2013.
Prescription Safety:
When sufficient funding is available, DOH will implement a prescription drug monitoring program to monitor the prescribing and dispensing of all schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances. The program will be designed to improve quality and effectiveness by reducing abuse of controlled substances; reducing duplicative prescribing and over-prescribing of controlled substances; and improving prescribing practices, with the goal of creating an electronic database available in real time for all dispensers and prescribers of controlled substances.
2007 Legislative Agenda
HB 1666/SB 5951: Allow ARNPs to sign on a permanent basis L & I accident report forms and certify time loss for injured workers.
- SHB 1691 passed in 2004, which allowed ARNPs to perform these functions. However, this will sunset in 2007 unless another bill is passed.
- A study by WA State on ARNPs providing health care for injured workers indicates there is no meaningful difference in costs and outcomes between ARNPs and primary care physicians.
Monitor, evaluate and/or promote bills which address the medical liability issue:
- Continue to support systems-based QA programs for medical error prevention
- Eliminate ostensible agency liability
- Monitor legislation regarding joint and several liability
Health care for all children by 2010
We support SB 5093/HB 1071
Ensure ARNPs are included in the language of all health care bills wherever "physician" is written
Maintain ARNP autonomy