SB 491, the Bill to Expand Nurse Practitioner Practice, Stalls in Committee

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Union of American Physicians and Dentists released the following statement regarding the failure of SB 491 to pass out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Friday.  Among other changes, the bill would have allowed nurse practitioners to practice without doctor supervision:

The Union of American Physicians and Dentists applauds the Assembly Appropriations Committee for recognizing that SB 491 is not the best alternative for extending medical care to more Californians.  While access is important, Californians must have quality healthcare, safely provided by properly trained individuals.  While nurse practitioners play an essential role as part of a medical team, operating as independent practitioners would have placed them in situations that go beyond the scope of their training. 

"I hope we can work with legislators to find better ways to address the physician shortage in California," said UAPD President Stuart A. Bussey, M.D., who has worked as a doctor in Walnut Creek for more than 25 years.  UAPD advocates for solutions that include expanding the number of physician residency programs and incentivizing doctors to work in rural and other underserved areas. 

SOURCE Union of American Physicians and Dentists