AUGUSTA - Last week, Gov. Janet Mills signed into law legislation sponsored by Rep. Anne Graham, D-North Yarmouth, that will allow certified nurse practitioners to provide in-home care without a home health care provider license. Currently, licensed nurse practitioners are prohibited from providing in-home care to patients unless they are employed by a managed care organization like a home health agency.
"As a member of the Health and Human Services Committee, I've heard almost daily for the past several months about our state's health care workforce shortage at every level," said Graham. "Allowing nurse practitioners to provide in-home care without having to be employed by a home health agency adds another tool to our toolbox as we strive to provide quality, affordable health care to all Mainers."
Nurse practitioners reach thousands of patients who often have no primary care provider. While these dedicated individuals have fought hard over the years to gain independent practice rights in order to provide care in non-traditional settings and to those who otherwise would not have access to health care at all, current law still limits their scope of practice in a way that is especially harmful to Mainers most in need. LD 1936 makes progress by removing more of those limitations.
The new law will go into effect 90 days after final adjournment of the legislative session.
Rep. Anne Graham is serving her third non-consecutive term in the Maine House of Representatives and is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services. She represents the community members of North Yarmouth and Gray.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Graham], c. 305-965-2744