STATEHOUSE (Feb. 9, 2023) – State Rep. Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh) recently authored legislation that would increase Hoosiers’ access to primary care by eliminating regulatory burdens for advanced practice registered nurses.
Currently, APRNs must sign a contract with a physician in order to practice and prescribe medication. These trained health care professionals often see patients when they are visiting their primary care doctor. Unfortunately, Ledbetter said burdensome regulations limit APRNs’ capacity to deliver care outside of having a contract with a physician, which means access to care is also restricted.
“Indiana continues to struggle with a primary care provider shortage, especially in our rural communities,” Ledbetter said. “This legislation would help increase access to quality and affordable care by giving advanced practice registered nurses more flexibility to operate by eliminating certain regulatory burdens.”
Ledbetter said House Bill 1330 would remove the requirement that an advanced practice registered nurse have a practice agreement with a collaborating physician.
Currently in Indiana, APRNs must have a master’s degree and be accredited in either family practice, geriatrics, pediatrics, mental health, long term care or women’s health. Ledbetter said the courses APRNs take are designed to prepare graduates for full practice authority.
According to Ledbetter, allowing APRNs to offer more comprehensive primary care to Hoosiers could help alleviate some of the issues associated with the state’s shortage of health care professionals. According to Hoosiers for Health Care Access, there are nearly 9,500 APRNs in Indiana. The organization also reports that 26 other states, the District of Columbia, and the VA Health system grant patients full and direct access to the comprehensive care APRNs deliver to 1 billion patients each year nationwide.
House Bill 1330 is assigned to the House Public Health Committee for consideration. Watch session and committees live, and view legislation at iga.in.gov.
