Wisconsin Governor Vetoes Dangerous APRN Legislation – Protects Patients in the Badger State

ASA commends Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers for his leadership and dedication to patient safety demonstrated by his veto of Senate Bill 394 (SB 394), a measure that would have significantly expanded scope of practice for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) by eliminating current requirements for physician collaboration with all APRNs, including nurse anesthetists. This bill would have actively dismantled the care team model of health care that makes Wisconsin a leader in patient care by allowing nurse anesthetists with far less training and clinical experience than physicians to provide anesthesia care and pain management without physician involvement. 
 
After careful consideration and recognizing the important role nurses play in Wisconsin’s healthcare system, Gov. Evers vetoed the measure because he opposes “altering current licensure standards for APRNs, allowing practices functionally equivalent to those of physicians or potentially omitting physicians from a patient’s care altogether notwithstanding significant differences in required education, training, and experience.” His full message can be found here.
 
The Wisconsin Society of Anesthesiologists (WSA) along with other medical professionals in the state voiced their strong concerns about SB 394 with lawmakers and Gov. Evers throughout the legislative process. Patients deserve to have physicians involved in their healthcare. Thank you, Gov. Evers!