House passes bill broadening APRN and CRNA practice; debate centers on patient safety, consent and rural access

The Mississippi House on the floor passed House Bill 849, a wide-ranging health-care measure that expands the definition and scope of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and establishes licensure for anesthesiologist assistants (AAs).

Sponsor and committee leaders said the measure is intended to increase access to care in rural and underserved areas by allowing APRNs to practice to the full extent of their education and training. The committee substitute removes the statutory requirement that APRNs maintain a collaborative agreement with a physician after they complete 8,000 hours of clinical practice and allows prior practice hours to count toward that total. The bill also adds a CRNA seat to the State Board of Nursing and establishes education, examination and licensing requirements for anesthesiologist assistants, who must…