Next Step for SB 491

SB 491 is probably the most ambitious piece of legislation ever passed for NPs in CA.  It just passed the Business, Professions and Economic Committee and is now being heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  If it passes, it will go to the Senate Floor for a vote.  The committee members need to hear your voice on this.   There are some powerful groups that do not want to see NP practice expanded, so please step up and take a moment to click on the link below and voice your support.  We need the help of all of our PA colleagues as well.  

Thanks,

Julie Winter

Senate Bill 491 is perhaps the single most important piece of legislation for nurse practitioners in California.  The measure, authored by Senator Ed Hernandez (D-Los Angeles) would remove practice barriers for NPs, allowing them to work autonomously without physician supervision.

On April 29, Senate Bill 491 was passed by the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee.  Many thanks to the more than 1,100 of you who sent messages to members of that committee urging their support. The next step in the legislative process comes later this month, when the bill is to be considered by the Senate Appropriations Committee.  We now urge you to contact the members of the committee to express your support for this vital measure.

Senator Hernandez has introduced this bill as part of his effort to assure that our health care workforce has the capacity to meet the demand for services that will come from implementation of the Affordable Care Act. He knows full well that demand cannot be met as long as NPs and other health care providers are not permitted to practice to the full extent of their abilities.

There’s a long, hard road ahead in order to see that Senate Bill 491 becomes law.  Powerful forces will fight to oppose this measure in order to preserve the status quo.

SB 491 represents a crucial opportunity for California nurse practitioners. Our unified voice and actions are essential to our success. Please contact the members of the Senate Appropriations Committee today, and urge them to vote “Aye” on Senate Bill 491.

Please note that for this campaign, you will only be able to send messages to the members of the committee in whose districts you live.  If you are not a constituent of any committee members, your message will be forwarded to committee staff, who will note your support as part of the analysis prepared for the hearing.
Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.votervoice.net/link/target/canp/3Rc2c2Et.aspx