The American College of Radiology (ACR) is highlighting the advocacy efforts of the Michigan Radiological Society (MRS) and Oklahoma State Radiological Society (OSRS) as they battle scope of practice legislation in their states.
In Oklahoma, three scope of practice bills (HB 2298, SB 569, and HB 2584) were introduced that are designed to give independent practice status to advanced practice registered nurses and physicians' assistants.
OSRS received multiple grants through the ACR's Scope of Practice fund to fight the Oklahoma bills and commissioned a poll to gauge the sentiment of citizens there regarding nonphysician providers in independent practice. Findings showed a clear narrative that Oklahomans trust and prefer physician-led healthcare, as indicated by 87% of respondents, ACR noted.
In Michigan, HB 4399 would grant nurse practitioners (NPs) independent practice, giving them the ability to order, perform, supervise, and interpret imaging studies, according to the ACR. ACR said it strongly opposed this legislation.
Leaders from the MRS testified in opposition to the bill and directed a letter to the chairman of the Michigan House Health Policy Committee.
"The proposed law to increase the authority of nonphysicians initially has 58% opposition; after being informed of the overprescription of controlled substances, increased healthcare costs, and additional referrals and testing, opposition grows to 67% -- with nearly one-half of those previously unsure now opposed to this legislation," the letter concluded.
