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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Lauren Rooney |
State Rep. Tim Solobay |
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Rx for Pa. gets a shot in the arm
Solobay’s bill expanding duties of nurse practitioners poised for final approval
HARRISBURG, July 13 – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Washington, that would expand the scope of practice for certified registered nurse practitioners has been cleared for final passage. House Bill 1253 was approved by the state Senate today, and a concurrence vote is expected in the House of Representatives on Saturday.
“This bill is about increasing access to health care and reducing costs,” said Solobay, D-Washington. “Allowing our certified nurse practitioners to shoulder some of the burden of patient care will help to alleviate waiting times in emergency rooms and doctors’ offices. Also, these well-trained professionals can offer many of the same services currently provided by doctors, but at a lower cost.”
The bill is a key component of Gov. Ed Rendell’s “Prescription for Pennsylvania” health-care reform initiative, and he is expected to sign it when it reaches his desk. The bill would allow certified nurse practitioners to do the following:
Ø Order home health and hospice care,
Ø Order durable medical equipment,
Ø Make respiratory or occupational therapy referrals,
Ø Perform disability assessments for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families),
Ø Make physical therapy and dietitian referrals.
House Democrats are spearheading the legislative effort to pass much of the governor’s “Prescription for Pennsylvania” health-care reform plan. The bills would improve the quality of and access to health care by reducing health-care acquired infections and expanding the scope of practice for health-care professionals to take the burden off emergency rooms.
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Attention Radio News Directors: an actuality from Rep. Solobay is available by calling 1-800-452-3001. Enter PA154 (7-2-1-5-4) and the pound sign (#) at the menu prompt to get today’s sound. You can also download the sound in .mp3 format by visiting www.pahouse.com/mediacenter.