House sends governor bill to allow medical assistants to perform more duties

Some “outdated” statutes that limit the performance of certain tasks to physicians need to be extended to advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants, Rep. Nick Zerwas (R-Elk River) said.

He and Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake) sponsor HF2177/SF1844*, which would update existing, “outdated” laws to allow APRN’s and physician assistants to perform a range of duties, including filing vital records with the Office of Vital Records and completing identification cards for people who need special diets for medical reasons.

The House passed the bill 129-0 Thursday after the Senate did so 64-0 May 4. It now goes to Gov. Mark Dayton.

Other duties the bill would authorize APRN’s and physicians assistants to perform include:

• certifying that someone has an expected lifetime of 180 days or less, or verifying a person’s HIV status in some situations;
• certifying for school screenings whether a student has tuberculosis or its symptoms;
• recommending actions for some do-not-resuscitate orders;
• ordering skilled nursing visit services and reviewing or approving plans of care;
• certifying whether a person intends to return home after staying in a long-term care facility or medical institution;
• prescribing special diets or dietary items for people receiving Minnesota Supplemental Aid;
• determining whether a child is in serious or critical condition because of abuse or neglect; and
• authorizing a prescription for new eyeglasses, based on a recent prescription, in an emergency.