Nurse Practitioners Need More Freedom to Fix the "Doc Shortage"

The "doc shortage" is real and state legislatures are starting to take notice. South Carolina lawmakers are reviewing a pending bill that would loosen restrictions for nurse practitioners (NPs). Advanced NPs have the skill set to perform many of the day to day functions that regular doctors perform. 

NPs do lack the full training of MDs, but giving them more leeway would help curb the massive shortage of primary care physicians. The baby boomer generation is not getting any younger and more people than ever now have health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

The demand for in-home care is rising as well, this requires more flexibility and mobility on the part of caregivers according to The Herald of Rock Hill.  NPs can help with these new pending issues.  

Nurses are on board with this new legislation especially with the rise in popularity of telemedicine. 10,000 people are retiring everyday in the United States which means many of the current practicing physicians will be retiring in the next 10-20 years.  The "doc shortage" will continue to grow and hopefully states will pass legislation to give NPs more responsibility.

Summary by www.MedicalGroups.com

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