May 09, 2024

Governors Act on State Legislation Impacting Healthcare

As many state legislatures begin to adjourn, some legislation is being sent to governors for their consideration while other bills have failed. A handful of states however continue to introduce and consider legislation. The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) is tracking the movement of more than 100 healthcare bills that could impact the practice of radiology.


Scope of Practice

Georgia

House Bill (HB) 1046 was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp. The law allows advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs) to order home healthcare services.

Indiana

HB 1059 failed. The bill would have removed the requirement that an APRN have a practice agreement with a collaborating physician.

Kentucky

HB 361 was signed into law by Gov. Andy Beshear. The law adds the chair of the Physician Assistant Advisory Committee to the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure as an ex officio nonvoting member.

Maine

Legislative Document 2043 became law without Gov. Janet Mills’s signature. The law enjoins Maine into the PA licensure compact. This compact allows PAs who meet its eligibility requirements to practice in other compact states.

Mississippi

Senate Bill 2079 failed. The legislation would have allowed APRNs who have 6,240 practice hours to practice without a collaborative/consultative relationship with a physician.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Louisiana

HB 916 would create the following provisions regarding the use of AI by healthcare entities:
• Healthcare entities would be prohibited from making a healthcare decision solely based on AI.
• Healthcare professionals would be required to review decisions made solely by AI, and a healthcare professional would have the authority to override a decision made solely by AI.
• The professional boards of healthcare professionals in Louisiana would be tasked with promulgating rules necessary to implement the provisions of this proposed law.

HB 916 was assigned to the House Committee on Health and Welfare.

ACR partners with Fiscal Note, a legislation and regulation tracking service, to provide continuous, comprehensive updates on radiology and healthcare-related legislation. To stay current on state legislative developments relevant to radiology, view the ACR policy map.

For more information about state legislative activities, or if you’d like to have access to Fiscal Note, contact Eugenia Brandt, ACR Senior Government Affairs Director, or Dillon Harp, ACR Senior Government Relations Specialist.