Michigan and Oklahoma State Chapters Address Scope of Practice

The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) works closely with state radiological chapters across the country regarding state legislative issues each year. In this article, we are highlighting the advocacy efforts of the Michigan Radiological Society (MRS) and the Oklahoma State Radiological Society (OSRS) as they address scope of practice (SOP) legislation in their states. 

House Bill (HB) 4399 was recently introduced in Michigan. The bill would grant independent practice to nurse practitioners (NPs). This would include the ability to order, perform, supervise and interpret imaging studies. ACR recently joined the advocacy efforts of the MRS in strongly opposing this harmful piece of legislation. Leaders from MRS recently testified in opposition to HB 4399. The ACR also sent a letter to the chairman of the Michigan House Health Policy Committee voicing its opposition to this legislation.

In Oklahoma, three harmful SOP bills were introduced, which would give independent practice to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physicians' assistants (PAs). These bills are HB 2298, Senate Bill 569, and HB 2584. The OSRS received multiple grants through the American College of Radiology Association’s Scope of Practice fund which has allowed OSRS to hire a PR firm to help in their advocacy efforts. 

The OSRS recently had a poll commissioned to gauge the sentiment of Oklahomans regarding the independent practice of non-physician providers (NPPs), and the findings showed a clear narrative that Oklahomans trust and prefer physician-led healthcare. For example, in this poll, a physician-led healthcare team overseeing a patient’s care is important according to 87 % of respondents in this poll. 

For more information about these bills, contact Dillon Harp, ACR Senior State Government Relations Specialist.

ACR is committed to supporting its chapters in their state-level advocacy efforts. The College also offers resources for members through the State Issues page and can assist with delivering legislative calls to action and grassroots mobilization.

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 or receive state-specific reports from Fiscal Note.

For state-level calls to action or to sign up to receive Fiscal Note reports, chapter leaders should contact Eugenia Brandt, ACR Senior Government Relations Director, or Melody Ballesteros, ACR Assistant Director of Government Relations.