The American Medical Association's (AMA) House of Delegates (HOD) adopted a new policy proposal pledging to fight legislation that expands the scope of practice (SOP) for mid-level providers, Jessica Kim Cohen reports for Modern Healthcare. But Advisory Board's Eliza Dailey argues that Advance Practice Providers (APPs) can and should work autonomously—and explains how to make sure it's done right.

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AMA pledges to fight legislation that expands SOP for non-physicians

Earlier this month at the 2022 AMA Annual Meeting, delegates from a variety of medical associations and national specialty societies voted to adopt a policy proposal that will support research on the cost and quality of NPs, PAs, and other mid-level providers caring for patients without supervision from a physician.

In addition, AMA pledged to help craft state laws that oppose expanding non-physicians' SOP, while working to reverse any such laws that currently exist.

While doctors at AMA's meeting largely supported the research proposal, many questioned how AMA should support state medical societies and whether the association should advocate for the reversal of existing SOP legislation.

AMA's reference committee recommended deleting the section of the proposal calling for state legislation to reverse SOP expansion laws. However, most speakers disagreed, arguing that there should be a coordinated push to standardize the group's position opposing SOP expansion across states.

"We don't want to create a two-tiered system," said Jason Goldman of Florida. "While there are important uses for nurse practitioners and mid-levels … the healthcare team does need to be led by physicians."

Notably, AMA already has modeled legislation on related topics, including team-based care, which emphasizes the importance of coordinated care across multiple providers and settings. (Cohen, Modern Healthcare, 6/14)