HB 287: Expanding Prescription Authority for Nurse Practitioners

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The lack of physicians and overflowing hospitals has led to many patients waiting long periods of time for their prescriptions. Long waitlists and being unable to access medication are causing many to experience worsening symptoms. 

House Bill 287 recognizes that nurse practitioners (NPs) are highly trained professionals who perform all sorts of treatments. NPs already effectively prescribe medication, however, the prescription must be made under the supervision of a physician or another experienced nurse. This current law restricts how many prescriptions an NP can write even though there is a shortage of physicians in Utah.

House Bill 287, sponsored by Rep. Doug Welton, creates would no longer require NPs to be supervised to make prescriptions, but can prescribe medication independently. This legislation would expand the scope of who can prescribe medication, thus alleviating the struggle to obtain prescriptions. 

There is no reason not to allow these qualified professionals, who follow the same regulations protecting consumers as doctors, to prescribe medication without supervision. They possess the necessary training and the benefits of this policy change to consumer access to affordable care are significant.