***Call to Action*** APRN Scope of Practice Hearing March 29th 2:00pm

Aloha HAPN Members,

It has come to our attention that the Hawaii House of Representatives, Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Committee on Legislative Management plans to hold a hearing to hear a resolution titled “Requesting the auditor to conduct an analysis regarding the scope of practice for advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants”.  This hearing is scheduled for March 29th at 2pm.  This resolution was submitted by Speaker Saiki. 

You can find the hearing announcement here (very first resolution):

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/Session2023/hearingnotices/HEARING_CPC-LMG_03-29-23_.PDF

You can find the resolution pages here: 

HR107

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HR&billnumber=107

HCR100

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HCR&billnumber=100&year=2023

These resolutions are the exact same (no revision) from the resolutions put forth last session.  You can find the resolution here:

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/archives/measure_indiv_Archives.aspx?billtype=HR&billnumber=139&year=2022

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/archives/measure_indiv_Archives.aspx?billtype=HCR&billnumber=139&year=2022

Last session the state auditor stated in their testimony that this review was “beyond our expertise” and stated “…the boards that regulate physicians and nurses, and the Legislative Reference Bureau may be better equipped to do the study”.  The opposition (mostly by APRNs) submitted in testimony echoed these statements - the auditor does not have the expertise in this area and it should be up to the boards for APRNs (Board of Nursing) and PAs (Board of Medicine) to assist in this review. 

At this time, HAPN is working with a multidisciplinary group of providers, organized by the Hawaii State Center for Nursing, to include APRNs, PAs, physicians, psychologists, and pharmacists to review the Hawaii Revised Statutes.  At this time we have reviewed 71 of 503 HRS that mentions “physician” or “doctor” within the statute.  This is a long process and this is exactly what these resolutions are asking for.  We are doing the work. 

Our opposition to these resolutions is based on WHO is being asked to complete this review.  There are several specific areas of these resolutions that we believe are inappropriate for review based on the current APRN Scope of practice to include:  abortion care, the records review process for prescriptions of controlled substances and CLIA wavers.  There are bills this session that are addressing other areas such as medical aid in dying, which has passed all of its committees thus far. 

Hawaii is part of now 27 states and DC with Full Practice Authority.  We see this as an attempt to place restrictions on that, especially when this review is being asked to be completed by an office that does not have the expertise in this area. 

Please consider writing testimony for HR107 and HCR100.  Make your voice heard. 

-HAPN