League of Women Voters of South Carolina supports full practice authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)

WIll improve health care access, lower costs; allow access to new rural health funding

As the Health Care Specialist and volunteer with the League of Women Voters of South Carolina, I want to state our support of full practice authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN).  

Health care access and quality is one of three top priorities of South Carolina League members.  Allowing nurse practitioners to provide the health care they are trained and licensed to give without being tied to a smaller and smaller pool of primary care physicians will expand quality access to care in South Carolina.  Thirty-seven other states already have some form of full practice authority, according to the National Conference of State Legislators. 

South Carolina suffers from poor health outcomes and low access to health care.  The American Association of Medical Colleges Center for Workforce Studies predicts that there will be a shortage of about 63,000 physicians by 2025.  South Carolina ranks 43rd worst in the nation in primary care physician supply. Other data predict a shortage of 815 primary care physicians by 2030, a 29% decrease in the state’s lack of practicing primary care physicians. 

In 2017, the Veterans Administration enacted full practice authority for APRNs in order to increase access to care and improve outcomes for veterans.  

Midwife APRNs must provide care to underserved populations as a result of South Carolina licensure requirements, which is another reason to expand APRN’s ability to practice without being tied to a physician’s supervision.

APRNs play a critical role in providing cost-effective, safe, and high-quality care according to studies during the last decade.  Numerous studies recommend the removal of barriers to scopes of practice.  The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) reports an increased satisfaction with APRN care and lower costs associated with educating APRNs.  

Personally, I have not seen a doctor in years as I have been seen by nurse practitioners or physician assistants for all of my primary care and have been satisfied with my own care.  

In addition, Congress also sees the benefit of full practice for APRNs.  They made it a requirement of all states receiving any of the recently enacted $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund. 

According to Senator Tom Davis, passing APRN legislation will improve health care access and lower costs.  It will also allow us to apply for this new rural health funding.  The League considers that a win-win-win.  We want to thank Senator Davis for his leadership on this issue.

Reference/sources supplied upon request.

~Teresa Arnold, Board of Directors, League of Women Voters of South Carolina

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The League of Women Voters of South Carolina is a nonpartisan, grassroots civic organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership in the League is open to people 16 years and older, of all gender identities. With over 100 years of experience, the League is one of America’s oldest and most trusted civic nonprofit organizations.