Nebraska gov. vetoes NP independence bill

Nurse practitioners (NP) will have to wait to gain independence in patient care following Gov. Dave Heineman’s veto earlier this week of Legislative Bill (LB) 916, a bill to lift state restrictions on physician supervision of NPs. Heineman’s veto of Legislative Bill 916 leaves in place a state law requiring NPs to have a practice agreement with a physician.

Supporters of the bill said the current requirement limits the number of NPs in Nebraska, adding to a shortage of primary care and mental healthcare in rural areas. Heineman, in his veto message, said he expects there will be a shift toward more independence for NPs in the future. But he said LB 916 went “too far, too quickly.” Backers of the bill vowed to try again next year and expressed confidence that they will succeed.

Source: Omaha World Herald