Senate Passes Roegner Bill Increasing Efficiency for Healthcare Workers

COLUMBUS—The Ohio Senate today passed Senate Bill 196, sponsored by State Senator Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson), which grants advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) additional authority to sign or complete forms pertaining to patient care within their scope of practice."This legislation will create efficiency for both healthcare professionals and patients. It is crucial, that in a time where it is hard to fill the workforce need in healthcare, we are alleviating burdens for those working in the industry," said Roegner. "I would like to thank Summer Davis, a constituent of mine, who brought forward this idea for legislation."

Current law requires two healthcare providers to sign patient forms. Senate Bill 196 updates this law by creating a "global signature authority" to optimize the healthcare workforce by eliminating the need for multiple providers to sign one patient’s care forms.

Kelsey Bergfeld from AARP Ohio stated the following when they testified in committee in support of SB 196:

"Increasing reliable access to quality health care is a top priority for AARP members in Ohio. We believe patients should be able to receive health care from qualified health care professionals of their choice, including nurse practitioners – APRNs who typically practice primary care and are more likely to practice in rural areas than other clinicians – when and where they need it."

This legislation also promotes transparency and accountability by documenting the patient-provider relationship and saves time for patients by addressing care delivery and form completion in the same visit.

Summer Davis, APRN-CNP and Co-Director of Government Relations for the Ohio Association of Advanced Practice Nurses said, “The Ohio Association of Advanced Practice Nurses appreciates Senator Roegner for her leadership on SB 196. We thank the legislators for moving this bill forward to improve healthcare, access, and efficiency for Ohioans. This piece of legislation will allow our highly skilled advanced practice registered nurses to provide timely, comprehensive care, benefiting patients across the state.” 

This legislation removes barriers for patients to access care and updates the Ohio Revised Code to reflect that APRNs are trained to independently manage the acute and chronic healthcare needs of patients. 

Hannah Kubbins from Americans for Prosperity Ohio stated the following when they testified in committee in support of SB 196:

"We should always be searching for ways to provide quality, efficient, personalized, transparent, and cost-effective healthcare. SB 196 is a step in the right direction toward the goal of a healthcare system that is easy to navigate, affordable, and patient-focused. AFP-OH thanks Senator Roegner for championing this issue." 

Senate Bill 196 now heads to the Ohio House for consideration.