Bill > HB508

This bill, known as the Better Access to Health Care Act, is a comprehensive legislative effort to modify the laws governing advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in Ohio, primarily focusing on expanding their practice autonomy and prescriptive authority. The bill makes several key changes to existing nursing regulations, including allowing certain advanced practice nurses (clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives, and certified nurse practitioners) to practice without a mandatory standard care arrangement with a physician after practicing for 5,000 hours and collaborating with a physician. The legislation removes previous requirements for constant physician collaboration, streamlines prescriptive authority for nurses, and updates various sections of the Ohio Revised Code related to nursing practice, hospital admissions, insurance coverage, and professional standards. The bill aims to improve access to healthcare by reducing administrative barriers for advanced practice nurses and allowing them to practice more independently while maintaining professional accountability and patient safety standards.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb508