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NC lawmakers propose changes in nursing regulations

North Carolina lawmakers are considering a bill that would update nursing regulations. Backers believe it could improve healthcare access and reduce costs.

The legislation known as the SAVE Act would grant full practice authority to advanced practice registered nurses, or APRNs.

Among those impacted by the bill would be nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists, along with certified registered nurse anesthetists and certified nurse midwives.

The legislation was introduced by Forsyth County Representative Donny Lambeth, a Republican.

According to a news release, 26 other states have granted full practice authority to APRNs.

Backers of the bill point to data showing health provider shortages in 97 of North Carolina’s 100 counties.

They believe current health APRN regulations are impeding potential cost-saving benefits. Advocates say the legislation would allow more APRNs to provide direct care to patients.

Neal Charnoff joined 88.5 WFDD as Morning Edition host in 2014. Raised in the Catskill region of upstate New York, he graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1983. Armed with a liberal arts degree, Neal was fully equipped to be a waiter. So he prolonged his arrested development bouncing around New York and L.A. until discovering that people enjoyed listening to his voice on the radio. After a few years doing overnight shifts at a local rock station, Neal spent most of his career at Vermont Public Radio. He began as host of a nightly jazz program, where he was proud to interview many of his idols, including Dave Brubeck and Sonny Rollins. Neal graduated to the news department, where he was the local host for NPR's All Things Considered for 14 years. In addition to news interviews and features, he originated and produced the Weekly Conversation On The Arts, as well as VPR Backstage, which profiled theater productions around the state. He contributed several stories to NPR, including coverage of a devastating ice storm. Neal now sees the value of that liberal arts degree, and approaches life with the knowledge that all subjects and all art forms are connected to each other. Neal and his wife Judy are enjoying exploring North Carolina and points south. They would both be happy to never experience a Vermont winter again.

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