On September 18, TNP testified as a part of the Texas Senate Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee Hearing on access to health care. This occasion marked the first time that an interim hearing was focused on the issue of full practice authority for nurse practitioners. The Committee heard over 12 hours of testimony that day, with dozens of organizations and members of the public weighing in.
Holly Jeffreys, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP, co-chair of TNP’s legislative ambassador program, testified on behalf of TNP. She was also joined by legislative ambassador Loy Watson, a constituent of Chair. Lois Kolkhorst’s, and eight other organizations who provided testimony in support of removing barriers to nurse practitioners.
“When it comes to solutions, my recommendation is very simple: remove the delegation barrier in Texas so that we can increase access for Texans,” Jeffreys said during her testimony. “This is not a new solution. It’s a tried and tested policy in 27 states and DC, the VA, and all branches of the military. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, the remainder of states waived delegation, including Texas, without adverse effects.”
“You will hear a lot of solutions today, but few will have the proven track record and data to back up the effectiveness and safety,” she added. “Removing outdated delegation requirements has the consensus of voters, policy organizations, academic research, and healthcare stakeholders, including over 40 organizations here in Texas. With a strike of a pen to remove this mandate, Texas could expand access overnight without incurring costs for the state.”
Missed the hearing? You can watch Holly Jeffrey’s testimony starting at the 3:00:20 minute mark in the Senate archive here.
