The AOA and its affiliates are leading efforts in multiple states to stop inappropriate scope expansion and preserve high standards in patient care:
- Nevada: The AOA and the Nevada Osteopathic Medical Association opposed Senate Bill 78, which would eliminate the state’s independent board of osteopathic medicine and place DOs under a joint regulatory board with chiropractors. The bill also mislabels chiropractors as “physicians”—a title that requires years of medical education and residency. The AOA mobilized grassroots by urging Nevada members to tell their story during a hearing and why opposing this bill was important. While our grassroots initiatives were temporarily successful, we anticipate this bill to be reintroduced with various amendments.
- Michigan: A bill introduced in the House would allow nurse practitioners to practice independently without physician supervision. The AOA and Michigan Osteopathic Association strongly oppose the measure and encouraged DOs to attend the House Health Policy Committee hearing and submit comments. White coat presence at the hearing and grassroots engagement highlighted the need to maintain team-based care that includes physician oversight.
- Oklahoma: Two bills—H.B.2584 and H.B.2289—would grant independent practice authority to physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses. The AOA and the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association launched a campaign to oppose these efforts, stressing that years of medical education, postgraduate training and experience cannot be replaced by shortcut pathways that risk patient safety.
- Texas: The AOA and Texas Osteopathic Medical Association submitted a joint letter to the Texas House Committee on Public Health opposing H.B.3794, which would allow APRNs to practice independently without any physician supervision. The letter emphasized the vast differences in education and clinical training between APRNs and physicians, arguing that allowing APRNs to independently practice medicine would lower standards of care and jeopardize patient safety. The bill would authorize individuals with as little as a two-year online degree to perform complex medical decision-making without the rigorous training physicians complete over 7-11 years.
These state-level actions show the critical role of advocacy in preserving quality care and ensuring that patients benefit from the full training and expertise of physician-led teams.
The post State advocacy spotlight: Protecting physician-led care across the nation appeared first on American Osteopathic Association.
