Advanced Practice Nurse Bill Passes Senate

The State Senate passed a highly controversial measure Wednesday expanding the scope of practice for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) after a somewhat heated debate and a slew of both successful and failed amendment attempts. Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Senator Mark Jansen (R-Gaines Township) ultimately passed on a 20-18 vote.

The majority of Republicans voted “yes,” and the majority of Democrats voted “no;” however, this was nowhere near a clear party-line split. Republican Senators Jack Brandenburg (R-Harrison Township), Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba), Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton Township), Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw), John Moolenaar (R-Midland), John Proos (R-St.Joseph), Dave Robertson (R-Grand Blanc), Tory Rocca (R-Sterling Heights), and Howard Walker (R-Traverse City) voted “no.”

Democratic Senators Tupac Hunter (D-Detroit), Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor), and Coleman Young (D-Detroit) voted “yes.”

The measure creates a new license for APRNs and provides the ability to perform some tasks currently performed by physicians.

Multiple attempts were made to the measure prior to final passage. One amendment, which took three changes to adopt, stated that an APRN not practicing under the supervision of a physician would be held to “the higher standard of acceptable professional practice or case in the community” upon an action of malpractice or license removal.

Another amendment, sponsored by Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), was meant to address the concern of APRN’s “hanging out a shingle.” The amendment would prohibit an APRN from organizing or becoming a shareholder or member of a professional corporation or professional limited liability company following the effective date of the bill.

The medical community was predictably split on the legislation, with physicians and physician groups strongly opposed to the bill and nurses and nursing groups strongly supporting its passage.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, November 15, 2013 11:46 AM
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