Approves notice and proof of disability from an attending nurse practitioner

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic1

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Michelle Hinchey says this is needed

Under the Nurse Practitioner Modernization Act, NPs with over 3600 hours of practice experience may practice without physician supervision or collaboration. Because this was .a relatively recent change to the law, there are several areas in the law which must be amended to reflect the reality of NP practice. Currently, about 25% of New Yorkers receive primary care from a nurse practitioner. However, in many instances, NPs are not able to provide certain written certifications or other forms needed by patients because they have not yet been added to the statutory list of providers authorized to complete such forms. As a result, patients can experience delays in certifications needed to obtain state benefits or disability accommodations because they may need to find an alternative provider to complete the necessary paperwork. This bill addresses two instances where NPs are not yet included as a provider authorized to complete necessary patient paperwork. First, this bill amends the workers' compensation law to add NPs to the list of attending health care professionals authorized to provide a statement of disability for a patient for purposes of family leave. It further adds NPs to the list of providers from which an employee claiming disability benefits may receive a physical if requested by the employer or carrier, Second, this bill authorizes NPs to provide a statement affirming that a patient is physically incapable of arm movement sufficient to draw, hold, and release a long bow or a pre-drawn bow. Such certification is necessary to allow individuals with a physical disability to receive an accommodation for hunting. In both instances, treating the related condition is already within an NP's scope of practice; these changes simply make it easier for patients of NPs to obtain the necessary paper- work from their healthcare provider.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.