Jean Covillo Testifies to Support Recent APRN Bill
An important bill was introduced to the house recently that affects APRNs (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse).
Jean Covillo was asked by MOANA to testify in support 
of the bill. (Yes,Jean has been to the Missouri Capitol twice, in as many weeks, in the month of February). Senate Bill 700/House Bill 1481, APRN Barrier-free Collaborative Practice Legislation Collaborative Practice Arrangements (CPA) are outlined in State Statute 334.104, RSMo.
Current law states a physician may enter into a collaborative practice arrangement with an advanced practice registered nurse. The collaborative practice arrangement must be in writing and contain a list of items, such as complete names, addresses, telephone numbers, specialty board certifications, AND the manner of collaboration between the collaborating physician and the advanced practice registered nurse.
The CPA outlines how the physician and APRN will engage in collaborative practice consistent with each professional’s skill, training, education, and competence. The proposed legislation deletes the “geographic proximity” required for a CPA. In rules, that mileage restriction is 30 miles in an urban setting, and 50 miles in a rural setting. The proposed language states the physician and APRN will maintain “effective electronic communications”.
Currently, any rules and regulations regarding collaborative practice arrangements must be jointly promulgated by the Board of Nursing and the Board of Healing Arts. This proposed legislation would remove joint rulemaking for everything except rules regarding controlled substance prescriptive authority.
The following is an excerpt of Jean’s Testimony
Although CRNAs are exempt from collaborative practice agreements, as fellow APRNs we are supportive of any legislation that will allow our APRN colleagues the ability to practice their profession to the full extent of their education, training, and experience.
Like CRNAs, many APRNs provide healthcare service to the rural counties in Missouri, many of which qualify as Health Professional Shortage Areas. Without APRN services, many patients would either be forced to travel many miles from their local healthcare facility or fore go treatment entirely. As you can imagine, this is a very real concern for the rural hospitals and clinics, the healthcare professionals committed to providing this care, the patients, and our fellow Missouri citizens.
My role in testimony is to support legislation that will afford our citizens better access to care by permitting APRNs to practice to the full extent of their education and training. The Missouri Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MoANA) fully supports this proposed legislation.
