MCNP News

AMA Position Paper on NP Scope of Practice

11/18/2009

In response to the growing number of non-MD health care providers, in 2005 the AMA House of Delegates approved an initiative, Resolution 814, to examine the professional qualifications of "limited licensure health care providers." Among these providers, chiropractors, optometrists, nurse anesthetists, podiatrists, psychologists, and advanced practice nurses were included. Pursuant to this resolution, over the past two years, the AMA has published "Scope of Practice" position papers for each of these groups.

As you may have heard, the position paper regarding nurse practitioners was recently released and contains information that is not only biased but misrepresents NP practice.

The national NP organizations including AANP, ACNP, NAPNAP, and NONPF are working on formal responses to this paper, as is the MCNP.

I am including links to the original Resolution 814 and the AMA position paper for your review. This is not to incite you, but rather to make you aware of and familiar with this document. Please read it and know that none of the other professions were painted in a more favorable light. We are working with these other professional groups at the national level to address these clearly biased and inaccurate reports.

This is a striking example of why we need you to be connected to the MCNP and why your membership and economic support are so important.

I will keep you informed of any developments and will forward the formal MCNP response.

Nancy O'Rourke
President, MCNP and
AANP State Representative

AMA Position Paper:
http://www.mcnpweb.org/files/11-18-09%20AMA%20Position%20Paper%20NP%20Scope%20of%20Practice%2010-09.pdf

Resolution 814:
http://www.mcnpweb.org/files/11-18-09%20ama814.pdf