CMA has successfully averted a number of legislative attempts to expand the scope of practice of allied health professionals. Among the bills that were tabled was one that would allow psychologists to prescribe psychotropic drugs; one that would allow acupuncturists to use low-level lasers for medical purposes; and another that would eliminate many physician supervision requirements for nurse practitioners (NPs), allowing NPs to, among other things, admit and discharge hospital patients and prescribe controlled substances without physician approval. All of these bills stalled in committee and were tabled until next year.

While CMA does not oppose all expansions of scope of practice, CMA believes that patients are put at risk when nonphysician practitioners provide care for which they are inadequately trained. CMA believes that any such proposal must be carefully studied to ensure that patient care is not jeopardized.

For more information on this and other bills of interest to physicians, see CMA's Legislative Hot List.

Contact: Susan Bassett, 916/444-5532 or sbassett@cmanet.org.