Ohio GA to mull bill giving nurses more latitude

Ohio legislators are considering a bill aimed at enabling nurse practitioners and other advanced-practice nurses to practice with less physician oversight (Source: “Bill would give Ohio nurses more latitude in treating patients,” Columbus Dispatch, Oct. 26, 2015). 

Lawmakers are expected to begin hearings in January on a sweeping “modernization” bill introduced this year by Rep. Dorothy Pelanda, a Marysville Republican.

The Ohio State Medical Association, which represents doctors, is strongly opposed to the bill, saying that a team approach works well and leads to optimal patient care.

The nurses say they’re already making their own decisions in patient care and shouldn’t have to pay a physician as much as $25,000 a year for oversight that can amount to little actual collaboration or advice.