Vote YES for an Independent Scope Commission in Oregon
Vote YES for an Independent Scope Commission in Oregon
Scope of practice discussions are contentious and involve serious patient health and safety consequences for Oregonians. Decisions to change or extend a clinician’s scope should be carefully aligned with the education and training they’re required to receive, and justifiable based on research and science – not politics.
Senate Bill 408, and its companion bill, House Bill 2886, would establish an Independent Scope Commission to allow for an in-depth and unbiased review of medical scope of practice proposals.
This commission would be charged with reviewing all requests to change the scope of practice allowed by a provider’s license, considering relevant patient health and safety issues and access to care, and submitting a report with their findings and to the Legislature. Housed at the Oregon Health Authority, it would be composed of representatives of the affected licensees.
SB 408 and HB 2886 preserve legislative authority. Oregon legislators would still vote on proposed changes to scope requests after receiving reports and recommendations from the Independent Scope Commission.
This common-sense legislation makes the most efficient and effective use of legislators’ time while allowing for in-depth consideration of impacts to patient health, safety and access. Details and data in scope discussions matter, but time constraints, packed agendas and the fast pace of legislative sessions rarely allow for the robust process Oregonians deserve when it comes to matters affecting their care.
Many states across the nation have found that independent commissions are valuable in making these decisions. States with similar independent boards or commissions to advise them on scope of practice requests include Arizona, Connecticut, Nebraska, New Mexico, Texas and West Virginia.
Support SB 408 and HB 2886 to provide the robust review process Oregonians deserve when it comes to matters affecting their care.