AB 890: Turning Law Into Action

Dear CANP Members,

I write to you from my home in Roseville with incredible pride and enormous gratitude for our CANP community. Wherever you are right now, I know the challenging nature of responding to this health crisis has likely been the same for you. As we shared in last month’s Connections, nurse practitioners continue to serve at the forefront of the pandemic, now working to ensure the most vulnerable people get vaccinated. It is taking a lot of hard work. I hope you find comfort and strength like I do as we continue to do our part to combat this terrible disease. We can see hope on the horizon as case rates come down, and more are protected by the vaccine.

Through it all, your continued support of CANP is enabling the organization to advance the nurse practitioner profession across California. Our collective voice continues to be heard, even as the halls of the shuttered Capitol building remain quiet. We’re marching forward on the implementation of AB 890 – focused both legislatively and through the regulatory process – to ensure that the full intent of the bill is achieved.

Legislatively, we will be working with the CANP-led Close the Provider Gap coalition to clarify and clean up some technical issues with AB 890, the most significant of which is ensuring that NPs with significant experience are able to practice without the transition to practice requirement. “Clean up” bill AB 852, also written by AB 890 author Assemblymember Jim Wood, will be a vehicle for addressing these issues. As we’ve learned, the legislative process is a long, dynamic one and this bill begins initiating the next phase. We ask for your continued patience and vigilance as the process continues to unfold. We will continue to provide you with updates as we are able to do so.

On a parallel track, we are engaging in the regulatory process that will take place at the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), which is responsible for developing the procedures necessary to fully implement AB 890. There is reason to be disappointed about recent appointments made to the BRN Nurse Practitioner Committee. CANP went on record this week by submitting a letter to the BRN in response to the lack of geographic and practice diversity represented. We have voiced concerns to the BRN around operational reforms of AB 890 that went into effect on January 1, 2021. Until the provisions of the bill are realized, thousands of legally qualified NPs are not fully able to provide a wide range of critical frontline health care services to patients in need. CANP will continue to offer our support and resources toward the full implementation of AB 890.

As we lay the foundation for the AB 890 bill implementation work ahead, many of you have asked how you can help and what is next. We’ll be ramping up our advocacy efforts through our grassroots coalition in the coming weeks. In the meantime, here are ways to engage and get ready now:

1. Participate in your chapter’s meetings with legislators. While the State Capitol is closed, the legislature is in session. It’s time to engage with your representatives. Individual chapters are focused on connecting with and familiarizing legislators – especially those newly elected – on CANP’s 2021 policy agenda. Find your chapter here.
    
2. Attend the 43^rd Annual Conference, supported by NSO, taking place virtually on April 22-24. It’s our signature event of the year, and nothing’s changed but the format. AB 890 will be front and center, with several in-track sessions focused on its current impact on NP practice and what the future holds. There will also be a breakfast symposium, keynote addresses, an interactive expo, and plenty of opportunity to network. Content will also be made available on-demand if you are unable to attend the live sessions. Register today.
    
3. Invite a CANP Board member to participate in a chapter meeting. One of your Board members would be happy to speak in more detail about the legislative and regulatory process around the implementation of AB 890. Invitations can be sent here.

I would also like to expand on another major initiative of the organization: CANP’s recently formed Health Justice Work Group. I hope you saw your invitation to join us in this important work focused on integrating Health Justice across all facets of the organization. We can and will do more. Our goal is to decrease health disparities and to empower NPs in California to be a voice and force for societal and health equity. The group, which currently meets once a month on Zoom, will evolve based on the input, direction, and engagement provided by our members. Please click here to be added to the group and start receiving meeting information.

Despite everything going on in the world, our organization has never been stronger or more focused. On behalf of the CANP Board of Directors and our community of over 4,500 NPs statewide, thank you for all that you do to ensure the organization’s success. Please continue to stay engaged – there is much work to be done.

We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Educational Conference on April 22-24!

With gratitude,


Patti Gurney, MSN, PPCNP-BC
CANP President