Originally published: . Volume 7, No. 5. Source pages: 1, 3.
Scope of Practice Struggles––Less Politics? HCR 86 to Change How Turfs Wars are Waged
A Resolution authored by Representative Frank Hoffman will create a study group to examine methods to sort out turf conflicts, called Scope of Practice, between health professionals in a more effective way. The Resolution points to a model program in Connecticut, that went into effect in 2011, that is viewed as “one of the most effective programs of its type in the nation.”
Hoffman’s Resolution notes that “some form of independent, nonpolitical scope of practice review committee would greatly enhance the ability of legislators to make the most informed and most prudent policy decisions when faced with matters so vital to the well-being of Louisiana's citizens as proposals affecting the scope of practice of our state's health professions.”
The Resolution also says that the need for this type of review committee is clear because of the “legislature's experience of recent sessions of considering high-profile and highly controversial scope of practice proposals affecting several health professions; …”.
It is not clear what issues these were, but both the medical and psychology boards were before the committee last year.
The measure also notes that the, “ … policymaking role occurs within an inherently political context; and WHEREAS, in taking up any prospective expansion, limitation, or other revision to a health profession's scope of practice, the legislature must evaluate numerous considerations, the most significant of which is the delicate balance between expanding access to care and ensuring patient safety; …”.
The effort will cover all healthcare professions, including addiction counselors; behavior analysts; marriage and family therapists; medical psychologists; mental health counselors; professional counselors, psychologists, social workers, and many others such as nurses, occupational therapists, physicians, physician assistants, and rehabilitation counselors.
Members of the task force are to include the secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals, chancellor of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at New Orleans, chancellor of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, dean of the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, dean of the Southern University School of Nursing, chief executive officer of the Louisiana Public Health Institute, director of the Louisiana State Law Institute, and others.
The 2011 Connecticut Act established a process for anyone wanting a change in scope of practice and would begin with written request submitted to the Department of Public Health.
The request or proposal would include an analysis, including a “plain language description of the request,” public health and safety benefits, review of impact on public access to health care, summary of relevant laws and current oversight, what are the expected impacts to current health care delivery system, health care trends, and other topics. The process then allows anyone impacted to respond in writing and a review panel would make recommendations to the legislature.
The Connecticut Psychological Association supported that state’s bill. President Dr. Christine Farber wrote that the state association supported any process marked by objectivity, transparency, and disclosure of information.
Dr. Jackie Mims (hidden, at microphone) and Dr. John Fanning (foreground) gave views in a previous legislative session.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.