Regarding “Bill seeks to improve access to health care” (Point of View, Feb. 10): Advance practice nurses are an undeniably crucial part of the health care team. But the simple fact of the matter is that they do not possess the same level of training and clinical expertise as a physician, who will have more than 10,000 hours of clinical training before finishing a residency program.
Additionally, numerous studies have shown that patients prefer — and have better health outcomes — when their care is provided in a team-based setting with their primary physician coordinating care by other providers. House Bill 1013 would fragment that health care system and make it less likely that important conversations will be had regarding patient care.
Supporters of the HB 1013 would have us believe this is a quick fix for our rural health care shortage. It’s a doubtful proposition that nurse practitioners will flock to rural areas should this bill pass but, even if we believed that would happen, are we OK with creating a two-tier health care system in which urban residents receive one standard of care while rural citizens get another?
There is no easy solution for our state’s health care shortage. But any proposed solution must always put the patient first. The Patients First Coalition was formed with one goal in mind — to promote patient safety. The safety net provided by current law has worked well to protect the safety of Oklahoma patients and is worth keeping in place.
Although we certainly must work to address health care shortages, HB 1013 is not the best way forward for Oklahoma.
Baker is president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association. Pitman is president of the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association. The Patients First Coalition represents their organizations and seven others in Oklahoma.