The Virginia General Assembly is in Session!
January 11, 2023-February 25, 2023
VAACNM Lobby Day: Monday, January 23
Virginia Advanced Practice Provider Coalition Lobby Days: January 16-27
2023 Legislative Priorities
Movement away from Joint Boards of Medicine and Nursing to under BoN Only
In addition to being regulated by the Board of Nursing, regulations governing Virginia’s advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) must go through an additional and unnecessary layer of approval by the Committee of the Joint Boards of Nursing and Medicine. This requirement is incongruent with the national APRN Consensus Model, and a 2021 study by the Department of Health Professions recommended elimination of the Committee of the Joint Boards.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Titling
Currently, all Virginia APRNs are titled as nurse practitioners in the Code of Virginia. State law should be updated to reflect the actual titles and roles of APRNs, including Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Midwives, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. This is consistent with the APRN consensus model and was recommended by the 2021 study of APRNs by the Department of Health Professions.
Update 1/13/23: This bill was reported out of the Senate Subcommittee for Education and Health, 7-0
The Department of Health, in collaboration with the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative, the Virginia Maternal Quality Care Alliance, and Urban Baby Beginnings, will convene a work group of stakeholders to evaluate strategies to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates and make recommendations to enhance maternal health and public health support systems through expansion of the perinatal health hub model. The bill directs the Department of Health to report on the results and recommendations of the work group to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations by December 1, 2023.
Virginia ACNM is a partner of the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative (VNPC), which brings together healthcare providers, students, and community stakeholders from across Virginia to implement quality improvement projects, share best practices, facilitate educational summits, and more.
SB 1275: Siobhan Dunnavant / HB 1511: Dawn Adams
Medication Access for Virginia Licensed Midwives
Licensed Professional Midwives in Virginia are restricted from administering medications that are within their scope of practice. These include Pitocin®, Cytotec®, RhoGAM®, IV fluids, lidocaine, epinephrine, Methergine®, Oxygen, antibiotics, vitamin K (injectable – for infant), erythromycin ophthalmic ointment (also for infant). Virginia is one of only two states that license midwives, yet restrict them from accessing these medications. Providers should be able to work within their full scope of practice.
Access for Reproductive Health
The ACNM has affirmed over the years that the right to abortion care access is an essential right for those who can become pregnant. Most recently, ACNM has spoken out against the Supreme Court Dobbs decision that seeks to ban abortion access. Though there is no law restricting abortion currently proposed, The VA ACNM will oppose any legislation that seeks to restrict or ban the provision of abortion care or any efforts at any level to render it less accessible.
Practice Authority for Nurse Practitioners and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
State law currently requires nurse practitioners to practice under a physician-led practice agreement for five years before transitioning to an autonomous license. This requirement is the most restrictive transition period in the nation. Many states require no transition period, and most states that do, require a two year transition period. Similarly, CRNAs are required to practice under the supervision of a physician. The APRN Consensus Model is for all APRNs to be able to practice autonomously, and the 2021 study of APRNs by the Department of Health Professions recommended amending state law to conform to the national model.