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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT:
Lauren Rooney |
State Rep. Tim Solobay |
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Solobay bill to expand duties of RNs moving forward
Final House vote could come by week’s end
HARRISBURG, June 21 – A bill sponsored by state Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Washington, that would let certified registered nurse practitioners practice to the fullest extent of their training and education has been cleared for final passage in the House of Representatives.
A final vote on H.B. 1253 could come as early as Friday. If passed by the House, the legislation would move to the Senate for consideration.
Solobay’s bill would allow certified registered nurse practitioners to take on such duties as performing and signing off on workers' compensation and cosmetology license physicals, conducting psychiatric evaluations, and ordering home health and hospice care, medical equipment and physical and occupational therapy for patients.
“The level of education and training our certified registered nurse practitioners go through far exceeds the duties that they currently are allowed to perform in Pennsylvania,” Solobay said. “By allowing them to take on more responsibilities, we would enable them to help cut down on waiting times in emergency rooms and doctors’ offices, thus increasing access to quality health care for more people.”
House Democrats are spearheading the legislative effort to pass much of the governor’s health-care reform plan, “Prescription for Pennsylvania.” The bills would improve the quality of and access to health care by reducing health-care acquired infections, expanding the scope of practice for health-care professionals to take the burden off emergency rooms, and ensure that all Pennsylvanians have access to affordable, quality health care.
Solobay would like his constituents’ views on health-care in Pennsylvania. He urged them to visit his Web site at www.pahouse.com/Solobay and take his “Rx for Pa” survey.
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