HB 1208 -- REGISTERED NURSE FIRST ASSISTANTS

SPONSOR:  Barry

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Children,
Families and Health by a vote of 11 to 3.

Effective January 1, 2003, this bill requires health insurance
plans to provide coverage for services provided by registered
nurse first assistants consistently practicing as independent
contractors within their scope of practice.

The bill also defines "registered nurse first assistant" and
requires the State Board of Nursing to specify which professional
nursing organization certifications will be recognized for
registered nurse first assistants and to establish criteria for
other registered nurses to use the title other than through such
certification.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of $0 in
FY 2003, Unknown in FY 2004, and Unknown in FY 2005.  Expected to
exceed $100,000 annually.  Estimated Net Income to Nursing Fund
of $0 in FY 2003, $15,000 in FY 2004, and $0 in FY 2005.
Estimated Net Income to Insurance Dedicated Fund of $9,850 in FY
2003, $0 in FY 2004, and $0 in FY 2005.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that registered nurse first
assistants are licensed registered nurses with advanced training
who provide cost-effective and quality care to patients.  The
bill ensures that registered nurse first assistants receive
reimbursement from insurance companies for services provided
during surgeries.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Barry; Missouri
Nurses Association; Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy
Workers Union Local 5-6 of St. Louis; Missouri AFL-CIO; Missouri
Association of Registered Nurse First Assistants; and Association
of Operating Room Nurses.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that insurance
companies will experience increased costs resulting from the
submission of insurance claims by registered nurse first
assistants for services performed.  Registered nurse first
assistants are not available in rural areas of the state.  The
bill could result in a loss of jobs held by surgical technicians.

Testifying against the bill were Beverly Oster; Association of
Surgical Technologists; and Missouri Association of Osteopathic
Physicians and Surgeons.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:00 am