Legislative Recap

The 87th session proved tough, but TNP made important advances with several measures on our legislative agenda. All but one bill on our agenda received a public hearing, three passed at least one chamber of the Texas legislature (H.B. 1524 on Schedule II prescriptive authority, H.B. 3126 on guardianship signatures, and S.B. 2115 on disciplinary referrals for licensing boards), and one bill (H.B. 4048 on death certificate signatures) passed and is now awaiting the Governor’s signature.

TNP was also a part of coalitions that supported key bills for telemedicine (H.B. 4), rural broadband (H.B. 5), and mental health (H.B. 2595). All of these bills passed and will significantly improve the ability of NPs and other health care providers to care for their patients.

While our flagship delegation removal bill (e.g. full practice), H.B. 2029, stalled in Committee, this did not stop the larger APRN Coalition and campaign. Leading up to and during session, three leading health care organizations joined the Texans for Healthcare Access Coalition: the Texas Association of Health Plans, Amazon, and the Convenient Care Association. In addition, our #MoreAcessMoreOptions media campaign garnered over a million digital impressions as we promoted key messages on access to care to stakeholders at the Texas Capitol.

There is still much work to be done, but TNP is unflagging in our commitment to remove barriers to NPs and their patients.