HB 896 as introduced would have allowed NPs to lead a patient care team and remove existing requirements for NPs to carry medical malpractice insurance. After testimony by AAFP National President and former MSV President Dr. Sterling Ransone, a substitute was introduced to strike the patient care team language, but still remove the medical malpractice requirement for NPs. This means NPs are again aligned with MDs, DOs, and PAs who are also not required by law to hold professional liability insurance. HB 896 passed out of the House and Senate with this substitute with bipartisan support—this was a great team win.
Also from Del. Adams, HB 243 would have increased the duration of postgraduate training required before issuing a medical license to practice medicine (MD) or osteopathy (DO) from 12 months to 36 months and require medical malpractice insurance be carried by MDs and DOs by law. This bill was heard in the Health, Welfare, and Institutions subcommittee and thanks to a great deal of advocacy by Virginia’s medical school deans, and testimony from UVA, VCU, EVMS, and VT- Carilion, the bill died unanimously.
We want to thank every member who contacted their legislator, joined us for lobby day, or sent a Voter Voice message for making these successes in our advocacy possible.
Delaying Autonomous Practice for NPs
Del. Adams also patroned HB 1245 to reduce the years of full-time clinical experience required for a nurse practitioner (NP) to practice independently from 5 years to 2. After passing the House, the Senate amended the legislation to instead maintain the 5-year requirement for independent practice and allow NPs with 2 years of experience who received their autonomous license under the Emergency Order to be grandfathered-in and maintain their autonomous license.
With two different versions of the bills between the two chambers, the legislation ended up in a committee of conference during the last days of the session. Since the Senators and Delegates on the conference committee were not able to reach a compromise before sine die, the issue will be carried over to a special session along with other bills that did not receive final action before adjournment.
This is a huge win for the House of Medicine thanks to the phenomenal advocacy and lobbying efforts of MSV’s members!