Major Provisions of the Bill

The NLC Expansion Act of 2023 would expand the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) to all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The NLC is a voluntary agreement between states that allows nurses to be licensed in one state and practice in another state without having to obtain a separate license.

The bill would also make it easier for nurses to practice across state lines by streamlining the application process and eliminating the need for reciprocity agreements. Additionally, the bill would provide funding for states to implement the NLC and for nurse education programs.

Background and Relevant Facts

The NLC was first created in 2000 and currently includes 38 states and the District of Columbia. The NLC has been shown to be beneficial for nurses and patients alike. Nurses who are licensed through the NLC can practice in multiple states without having to obtain a separate license, which saves them time and money. Additionally, the NLC allows nurses to practice in areas where there is a shortage of nurses, which can improve access to care for patients.

The NLC Expansion Act of 2023 was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and in the Senate by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). The bill has bipartisan support and has been endorsed by a number of nursing organizations, including the American Nurses Association, the National League for Nursing, and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

History of the Legislation

The NLC Expansion Act of 2023 is not the first attempt to expand the NLC to all 50 states. A similar bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in 2019, but it did not pass. The 2023 bill is more likely to pass because it has bipartisan support and has been endorsed by a number of nursing organizations.

The bill has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. It is unclear when the bill will be voted on by either committee.

Key Supporters and Opponents of the Bill

The NLC Expansion Act of 2023 is supported by a number of nursing organizations, including the American Nurses Association, the National League for Nursing, and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. These organizations believe that the bill would be beneficial for nurses and patients alike.

The bill is also supported by a number of business groups, including the American Hospital Association and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. These groups believe that the bill would help to improve access to care for patients.

The bill is opposed by a few groups, including the Federation of State Medical Boards and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. These groups believe that the bill would weaken state medical and pharmacy boards and would lead to a decrease in patient safety.

Positions of Key Stakeholders

The NLC Expansion Act of 2023 has the potential to impact a number of key stakeholders, including nurses, patients, state medical and pharmacy boards, and business groups.

Nurses: Nurses are the primary beneficiaries of the NLC Expansion Act of 2023. The bill would make it easier for nurses to practice across state lines, which would give them more job opportunities and would allow them to live and work in the states where they want to live.