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Rep. Whiteford: Nurse compact entry addresses need for care, assists those along state borders
RELEASE|March 2, 2020

A proposal from state Rep. Mary Whiteford, of Casco Township, aligning Michigan with other states for multi-state nurse licensure was recently approved in a vote by the Michigan House.

Whiteford, who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services and also sits on the House Health Policy Committee, noted it can be time-consuming for nurses to apply for multiple licenses when wishing to work across state lines. The Nurse Licensure Compact, which Michigan would join through House Bill 4042, consists of 34 member states with a mission to increase access to care, provide patient safety and reduce costs.

“This is an advantageous program for Michigan to be a part of, especially along border communities where nurses will be able to more freely work across state lines as we work to improve convenient access to care,” said Whiteford, who worked in pediatric neurosurgery and pediatric emergency care before being elected to the Michigan House. “There is a high demand for health-care workers. This is a way to help address that shortage.”

The rise of telemedicine also has led to issues with interstate nurse licensure, as someone would still need to hold a license in the state where a patient is communicating from through audio or video.

Whiteford underscored key standards within the compact ensuring people are getting quality care. Each state may take action against a nurse’s multistate license privileges – such as revocation, suspension, probation or other steps – if it is determined through due process that it is warranted.

HB 4042 now advances to the Senate for consideration.

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