Earlier today, my bipartisan Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Modernization Act was signed into state law.

Qualified APRNs in Wisconsin can now operate at the highest scope of their practice, which will help improve healthcare access in all corners of the state, especially in our rural and underserved communities.

More specifically, the new state statute authorizes APRNs to practice independently and without the need for a collaborative agreement with a physician – so long as the cases do not fall outside their areas of expertise.

Today’s bill signing marks the culmination of more than 10 years of attempts to get the APRN Modernization Act across the finish line and enacted into law. It is hard to believe that nurses have been advocating for some form of the APRN Modernization Act for over a decade. It took a lot of hard work and compromise over the years, but I am pleased to say the day is finally here.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, close to 40 percent of Wisconsin’s need for primary care providers is currently unmet. In 10 years, Wisconsin will likely require more than 740 additional primary care professionals to meet the growing demand for care. However, by 2035, the state’s supply of primary care physicians is expected to grow by just 4 percent.

We are all deeply aware of the workforce challenges we face in Wisconsin when it comes to the healthcare industry. APRNs will help close that gap and I am certain they will continue to step up and provide quality healthcare to everyone in our state.

Wisconsin now joins nearly 30 other states – including Minnesota and Iowa – that have passed policies similar to the APRN Modernization Act.