Politics and Power

I have chosen to write to Virginia House of Delegates member Robert B. Bell on HB 517. Mr.
Bell is a member of the Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee and a strong advocate as far
as the health and well being of Virginia residence. He has introduced many bills and co-
sponsored bills that pertain to bettering health through fewer restriction laws.
HB 517 adds Nurse Practitioners (NP) and Physician Assistants (PA) to this bill that will NOT
require a collaborative agreement with Pharmacists to practice. Many laws in Virginia that
govern NP's require collaborative contracts. Physician agreements are necessary in order to
practice to date. HB 517 is a small step in the overall freedom that I feel is necessary for
practitioners to practices freely. I hope that my letter of support with reference material
conducted by other states on unrestrictive free practice for NP's and PA'S will encourage
investigation. Virginia one of the more restrictive states in the country on this matter. A Florida
research study on how unrestricted NP's and the impact on health care found not only a profound
effect on the economy of the state but reducing doctor shortages, lower health costs, and access
to quality health care for the citizens of Florida. My hope is for this change here in our great
state.

References

Unruh, L., Rutherford, A., Schirle, L., & Brunell, M. L. (2018). Benefits of Less Restrictive
Regulation of Advance Practice Registered Nurses in Florida. Nursing Outlook, 66(6), 539–550.
doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2018.09.002

Conover, C., & Richards, R. (2015). Economic benefits of less restrictive regulation of advanced
practice nurses in North Carolina. Nursing Outlook, 63(5), 585–592. doi:
10.1016/j.outlook.2015.05.009

My Letter

March 4, 2020
The Honorable Robert B. Bell
Virginia Capital
Pocahontas Building
900 E. Main Street
Richmond, Virginia 2321
DelRBell@house.virginia.gov

Dear Delegate Robert B. Bell:

I want to start by thanking you for your support on HB 517 and many others that pertain to
health care and the health of our state. As a current Virginia Registered Nurse, and
undergraduate student with plans to pursue a career as a Nurse Practitioner, this HB 517 are of
interest to myself and those seeking this profession due to reducing restrictions. The addition of
nurse practitioner and physician assistant to HB 517 shows a small step in fewer restrictions on
these practices by collaborative agreements.

As we are all aware, the current state of health care throughout the country has been a source of
considerable debate. In researching this topic for my studies at James Madison University, I have
found some interesting facts that may be of interest to you and our governing body. Virginia is
one of the more restrictive states with laws that govern the practice of nurse practitioners. Studies
conducted throughout the country, such as Florida on this matter, have found some interesting
facts that support mentioning.

There has been a steady decline in private practice doctors, and it's projected to get worse. Health
care cost is rising, and the demands for care are increasing. The need for affordable care, along
with access to health care, will only become that much more critical. Unrestricted practice on
nurse practitioners will only benefit this situation. A Florida study found that this one step could
reduce a doctor's shortage by 2025 by 60% while increase those seeking this profession due to
unrestrictive laws. The state's economy would benefit by increases' from taxes on these wages
and supply for these practices. Nurse practitioners in unrestricted states, have shown to be more
likely to work in areas underserved. The cost to be seen by a private practice nurse is cheaper to
the consumer, all while providing high-quality care comparable to a private practice doctor's
office visit. Not to mention state learning institutions benefiting by the increase in student nurse
practitioners.

Florida is not the only state looking into this idea as a solution. I hope that you, along with our
government, look into this idea. As a citizen and nurse, I find this topic and idea very
encouraging. I included an attachment article I mentioned here and hope you will find it
interesting as well. Please consider these ideas, and thank you again for all you have done for
this great state.

If there is a way I could be of help with this idea, please contact me. I'm always willing to help
make this a better state of living.

Sincerely,
Timothy Hockenbury
7689 Secretarys Sand road.
Schuyler, Va. 22969
434-831-1875
thockenburyrn@gmail.com