At the start of the 2-year legislative session in January 2023, the Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners filed H.1539, An Act Relative to Determining Capacity and Invoking the Health Care Proxy.
The bill would have given Nurse Practitioners in Massachusetts legal authority to determine capacity regarding medical decision-making and the ability to invoke the health care proxy for patients under their care. Currently, this authority is limited in statute to an “attending physician” and was not addressed in the legislation granting Full Practice Authority to Nurse Practitioners.
The bill was assigned to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, and despite advocacy efforts by MCNP and compelling testimony from supporters, was sent to study and will not continue this session as a stand-alone bill.
Although it is not clear if there will be other opportunities to advance the bill language this session, we ask that you please reach out to your legislators to let them know the current capacity statutes are not good for patients and families.
Thank you for your advocacy, and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
The Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners
The bill would have given Nurse Practitioners in Massachusetts legal authority to determine capacity regarding medical decision-making and the ability to invoke the health care proxy for patients under their care. Currently, this authority is limited in statute to an “attending physician” and was not addressed in the legislation granting Full Practice Authority to Nurse Practitioners.
The bill was assigned to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, and despite advocacy efforts by MCNP and compelling testimony from supporters, was sent to study and will not continue this session as a stand-alone bill.
Although it is not clear if there will be other opportunities to advance the bill language this session, we ask that you please reach out to your legislators to let them know the current capacity statutes are not good for patients and families.
Thank you for your advocacy, and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
The Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners
CLICK HERE to view the Bill Fact Sheet
By providing your mobile number, you agree to receive periodic call to action text messages from Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners. Message and data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Message frequency varies.