Senate Bill
68 was reported unanimously this week from the Senate Health Policy
Committee which places advance
practice registered nurses in the Public Health Code.
The committee adopted a substitute to
the bill that requires APRNs to be part of a "patient care team,"
which, for the first five years of practice for an APRN, must include at least
one physician. After that, APRNs are
still able to be part of the team, but the degree of involvement of a physician
is left to the discretion of that operating unit.
There were many amendments to the bill
that were discussed and adopted in committee this week. One of the key changes
adopted is the redefinition of "patient care team" as one consisting
of health care providers, formed to collaborate in the best interest of patient
health.
Another amendment also added language to
one of several conditions that must be met for an APRN with five or more years
of experience to perform a "task, function or duty included in the
practice of medicine.”
The Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners
was very supportive of the introduced version of the bill but indicated they
had not reviewed the substitute, which was adopted in committee. The bill will now head to the Senate floor to
be voted on by all 38 members.