California Lawmaker Pushes to Expand Role of Care Providers

California may allow some care providers, such as nurse practitioners, pharmacists and others, to play an expanded role in care delivery, thanks to state Sen. Ed Hernandez, OD, according to a Capital Public Radio report.

Dr. Hernandez told Capital Public Radio that, in 2013, he plans to back a package of bills that would empower those care providers to do some of the tasks usually performed by primary care physicians. "You need to allow them perhaps even the ability to diagnose…treat and to prescribe," Dr. Hernandez said.

The planned bills are in response to the looming primary care physician shortage, which will be exacerbated by the influx of newly-insured patients from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

More Articles on the Physician Shortage:

UNC School of Medicine, Blue Cross Blue Shield Create New PA Program to Alleviate Physician Shortage
Coping With Physician Burnout Through Wellness Programs
Society of Hospital Medicine Extends Fellow Eligibility to Non-Physicians

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