Gov. Ritter Signs Rep. Gagliardi's Nursing Bills

Nurses to spend more time with patients, less time fighting with insurance companies

Rep. Gagliardi(wearing pink) stands beside the Governor as he signs her bills.

Denver – The Governor signed three major health care bills into law today. Two of the three were carried through the House by State Representative Sara Gagliardi (D-Arvada). Both bills will allow Advanced Practice Nurses to spend more time delivering health care to patients and less time fighting with insurance companies.

The bills remove barriers for Advanced Practice Nurses to provide safe, effective and affordable care.  Advanced Practice Nurses include certified nurse midwifes, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse anesthetists.  Colorado currently has 3,200 Advanced Practice Nurses on the books, all of whom are professional nurses with at least a Master’s Degree. 

“This is a great day for the health of Coloradans,” said Rep. Gagliardi.  “These highly specialized nurses treat people in areas where it’s tough to recruit and retain physicians.  I’m thrilled the governor recognizes these specialized professionals are an important piece to the health care puzzle.”

House Bill 1060 will expand the roster of health care providers to include Advanced Practice Nurses.  Under the proposed law, they will be permitted to deliver care to the sick, elderly and children seeking health care through the Medicaid program.

House Bill 1094 modifies outdated state statutes to include reimbursement of services for Advanced Practice Nurses.  At present, only pediatric and family nurse practitioners are eligible for Medicaid reimbursements.  The bill does not expand Medicaid services because Advanced Practice Nurses provide services already covered by Medicaid.      

Rep. Gagliardi is a Licensed Practical Nurse and has worked in surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, orthopedics and trauma. A photo and biography can be found here: www.coloradohouse.org/

-- Posted by staff