
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 14, 1990                   TAG: 9006140473
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-14   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

NEED TO UTILIZE NURSE PRACTITIONERS

IT IS UNBELIEVABLE that such primitive conditions exist as lack of obstetrical care as described in your editorial May 26. Increased medical costs and dwindling resources decrease access to care for many vulnerable populations. A majority of states have responded by utilizing nurse practitioners. Federal studies have documented that they provide safe, cost-effective health care.

In the commonwealth, nurse practitioners must work with a collaborating physician and are licensed and regulated through a Joint Board of Nursing and Medicine. Unfortunately, in our state statutory barriers prohibit the most effective and efficient use of nurse practitioners.

One of the most damaging barriers identified by a 1989 task force requested by then Human Resources Secretary Eva Teig was lack of limited prescriptive authority. House Bill 768 would allow nurse practitioners this authority. It was introduced in the 1990 General Assembly and was carried over to the 1991 session.

Nurse practitioners are providing care to Virginians many of whom are underserved populations living in underserved areas. They are a proven resource. A legislative effort is needed to eliminate barriers to nurse practitioners' practice that would increase access to health care for all Virginians.

MARY NOTTINGHAM\ RNC, MSN, OGNP\ TERRY TEMPKIN\ RNC, MSN, ANP\ Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners\ ROANOKE

by CNB