Sacramento, CA-Keep your eye on California. Several bills recently introduced propose to expand the scope of practice for non-physicians in anticipation of a provider shortage after millions of uninsured gain coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Although details are not final, SB 492, proposed by California Senator Ed Hernandez, OD (D-West Covina), would designate optometrists as primary-care providers to diagnose and treat patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Other bills would allow nurse practitioners to establish independent practices and designate pharmacists as primary-care providers.ODT
