Bill > H2008

This bill mandates that when insurance policies, health service contracts, hospital service plans, medical service agreements, or health maintenance organization contracts provide payment for surgical first assisting benefits or services, these provisions must be interpreted to include payment for registered nurses who are licensed and have provided such first assistant services, specifically referencing those licensed under section 80B of chapter 112. In essence, it ensures that registered nurses acting as first assistants in surgical procedures are eligible for payment under these healthcare plans. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Public Health to compile a report, in consultation with various healthcare stakeholders, on the impact of registered nurse first assistants on patient care quality, with data to be collected from hospitals and insurers and submitted to legislative committees by September 1, 2014.