House of Representatives Act on HB 2279
Posted over 3 years ago by Merilyn Douglass
On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, the House of Representatives voted to nonconcur on HB 2279 and decided to send the bill to a conference committee. This conference committee will include Senator Hilderbrand, Senator Gossage, Senator Pettey, Representative Landwehr, Representative Eplee, and Representative S. Ruiz. The requirement for conference committee concurrence is two representatives and two senators. Our lobbying team continues to work on numerous strategies for success. Chairman Landwehr will be setting the date for the committee meeting. It may be within the next week, March 21-25th, 2022.
Call to Action: Email/contact or call your Representatives to support HB 2279
Contact your Representatives to support HB 2279. Include in your message the following corrections of misinformation:
- APRNs can prescribe medications without the collaborative practice agreement when HB 2279 is passed. The Board of Nursing will promulgate regulations pertaining to the proposed statute changes that will reflect that a collaborative practice agreement (CPA) is not required to prescribe medications. National Council of State Boards of Nursing and American Association of Nurse Practitioners advocates contributed language on our bill based on other states’ statutes. It is professionally written and clarifies APRN practice without a CPA.
- Malpractice insurance for APRNs is easily obtained, the CPA is not required to purchase malpractice insurance. APRNs in Colorado and Nebraska, practicing without a CPA, pay similar rates that we do here in Kansas and have no difficulties obtaining malpractice insurance, whether it is a personal policy or employer-purchased.
Next: Write Governor Kelly
Ask for her support of HB 2279. Remind the Governor- APRNs can fill the primary care provider shortage, especially to underserved populations and rural communities.
If you have not already, share with your Representative and with Governor Kelly-
A new statewide survey of Kansas voters shows broad bipartisan support to make it easier for patients to choose nurse practitioners (NPs) as their primary care providers. The poll, conducted by the Mellman Group February 16-21, found nearly three-fourths of Kansans back legislation that would enable patients to choose NPs.
Stay professional with emails and conversations. Being offensive or detracting decreases the importance of your message. Be strong and professional.
Caution if Talking to Representatives Landwehr or Eplee
Representative Landwehr and Representative Eplee are trying to talk to APRNs asking for private opinions, believing that there are some who do not support the bill. Please be careful with any conversation as it could sabotage this work. The goal is to remove barriers so that APRNs can more easily establish practice in Kansas to increase access to healthcare for Kansans. Remember that APRNs will still have the choice to establish physician-signed protocols and a CPA if desired. Collaboration with the health team is and will always be a part of APRN practice.
If any comments or concerns, please email and I will pass on to KAPN Officers and Directors. Your voice is important in these next 3-4 days. We need to do our best for this bill to be successful, for success of increased healthcare access for Kansans.
Merilyn Douglass APRN
“When you have decided what you believe, what you feel must be done, have the courage to stand alone and be counted.” – Eleanor Roosevelt