Jan 2, 2021
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) Nurse Practitioners in Massachusetts started the new year with the legal ability to prescribe medications without the oversight of a supervising physician.
On January 1st, Massachusetts became the 23rd state in the nation to pass legislation granting Full Practice Authority for NP s when Governor Charlie Baker signed into law An Act Promoting a Resilient Health Care System That Puts Patients First, making permanent the changes granted by his executive order during the COVID-19 state of emergency.
According to the Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, the 22 other states that have granted Full Practice Authority for NP s have witnessed an increase in the number of practicing nurse practitioners, with expanded health care access for rural and vulnerable populations.