Legislative Report

Legislative Report Arizona Nurses Association First Session 52nd Legislature 2015

OVERVIEW

The First Regular Session of the 52nd Legislature will probably be best remembered for its extensive budget cuts and its brevity. Adjourning sine die after 81 days, it was the shortest session since 1988. And while the most notable budget cuts were in the area of education (in particular over 100 million to the Universities), healthcare will feel the knife through cuts to providers in the AHCCCS system.

There were two particular areas of emphasis this session for AzNA. The first was to assure, as the result of the enactment of HB 2196, that RNs and LPNs were not required, through their fees, to underwrite the regulation of CNAs. The second was the amendment of bills to include advanced practice nurses or to create provider neutral language.

This session also saw the beginnings of outreach to educate legislators about the role of APRNs and a joint effort with other providers to defeat legislation that would discourage the use of interstate compacts.

1163 bills were introduced and 344 bills were passed during the session. The Governor vetoed 20. The effective date for legislation passed in this session without an emergency clause is July 3, 2015.

AzNA SUPPORTED

HB 2196 Nursing Aides, Assistants This bill was developed by the Board of Nursing to address the potential loss of general funds to underwrite the certification and regulation of Certified Nursing Assistants. The legislation created two categories: certified nursing assistants (CNAs), which meet the Federal standards and are listed on registry and licensed nursing assistants (LNAs) who will pay a fee and be subject to a higher level of regulation. Requires that in the future all medication assistants must be LNAs Outcome: Signed 4/10; Chapter 262

1 HB 2489 EMTs; Peace Officers; naloxone Allows a trained EMT and peace officer to administer opiate antagonists to a person suffering from opiate overdose pursuant to the standing order of a physician or nurse practitioner. Outcome: Signed 4/10; Chapter 313

HB 2495/SB 1194 Loan Repayment; Medically Underserved Areas Expands the types of professions that can participate in the Primary Care Provider Loan Repayment Program (PLRP) and the Rural Private Primary Care Provider Loan Repayment Program (RLRP). Increases potential loan repayment amounts and commitment periods. Outcome: Signed by Governor 2/24; Chapter 3

HB 2645 Laboratory Testing; Without Order Allows a person to obtain any laboratory test without an order from healthcare providers (but does not require insurance coverage). Outcome: Signed by the Governor 4/6; Chapter 222

SB 1288 Prescription Drug Coverage; Medication Synchronization Provides for synchronization of an insured patient’s prescription medication. Outcome: Signed by Governor 4/1; Chapter 159

SB 1370 Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program Improves access to the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program for prescribing healthcare providers and synchronizes registration with licensing. Outcome: Signed by the Governor 3/23; Chapter 46

SB 1404 Health Care Directives Creates presumption that a health directive, the decision of the patient’s agent or surrogate represents the patient’s intent if there is a conflict with a provider’s order. Outcome: Signed by the Governor 4/1; Chapter 182

AzNA OPPOSED

SCR1003 Interstate Medical Licensure Compact; Opposition

2 Expressed opposition of the Legislature to any participation in the Federation of Medical State Licensure’s Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. Outcome: Bill failed in the House 16-40

ACTIVITIES Daily work by the AzNA public policy team included attending meetings with stakeholders and legislators, participating in development of amendments clarifying APRN roles and scope, developing letters using the AzNA ENGAGE system to enable members to target specific legislators urging either support or opposition to a bill; finding appropriate individuals to present testimony at hearings to name a few. AzNA conducted two training/lobbying workshops for nurses during the legislative session. “Making Public Policy Purposeful” and “Nurses Lobby Day”.