Austin, Texas – Erin Pérez, President of Texas Nurse Practitioners, issued the following statement after Senator Cesar J. Blanco introduced the HEAL (Healthcare Expanded and Accessed Locally) Texans Act, SB 9-1-1, which will expand patient access to quality, local healthcare. By modernizing occupational licensing and removing unnecessary regulations on healthcare providers, the HEAL Texans Act will allow nurse practitioners to serve Texans across the state, particularly in the state’s rural and underserved areas, and will help address our state’s shortage of providers in maternal and mental health care.
“For Texans who live in the many parts of our state where there is limited or no access to local healthcare, Sen. Blanco’s HEAL Texans Act represents a literal lifeline,” Pérez said. “People are dying now as they wait for health care. Skilled, experienced nurse practitioners stand ready to fill the gaps in access to basic healthcare whenever our state’s unnecessary regulatory and financial barriers are removed, freeing them to provide the care they are fully trained and licensed to provide, just as in a growing majority of states and all branches of the U.S. military. We applaud Sen. Blanco for introducing this vital legislation and urge all our elected officials to support both SB 9-1-1 and the people across Texas who need care now.”
Six million Texans live in the state’s 224 counties classified as primary care shortage areas, and 13.4 million Texans live in mental health provider shortage areas. The HEAL Texans Act will expand access and options to primary care for all Texans by removing barriers placed on highly trained and experienced advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), like nurse practitioners.
Studies have consistently shown that APRNs are more likely to practice in rural and other underserved areas than other providers. However, under current law, licensed APRNs must find and enter into a contract with a physician in order to provide care to patients. The law does not require the contracting physician to see the patients, consult on the care, or even work in the same city or county.
“Texans deserve the freedom to choose their Texas healthcare provider,” Pérez said. “Nurse Practitioners are a no-cost solution for the state and welcomed vital care for all Texans in need—Texans healing and helping Texans.”
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Texas Nurse Practitioners is the largest state association of nurse practitioners in the country. TNP advances and supports the role of NPs who provide accessible, quality health care across Texas each and every day. In hospitals and family clinics, and across a broad spectrum of specialties ranging from women’s health to pediatrics and from mental health, palliative, and hospice care to family practice, Texas nurse practitioners provide the care Texans depend on. To learn more visit www.texasnp.org.
Click here to view Senator Blanco’s press conference to introduce SB 9-1-1, HEAL Texans Act.
