A lawsuit filed this week in Wake County Superior Court is challenging North Carolina laws that require nurse practitioners (NPs) to practice in collaboration with physicians.
In Gallagher v. Rao-Patel and Ingram, a Wake County family nurse practitioner is asking the court to declare the state’s physician collaboration requirements unconstitutional and prevent the North Carolina Medical Board and North Carolina Board of Nursing from enforcing them against nationally certified NPs.
The lawsuit argues, among other claims, that requiring NPs to maintain collaborative practice agreements with physicians unfairly restricts their ability to practice and treats them differently from other healthcare professionals.
NCMS opposes this lawsuit and efforts to eliminate physician collaboration requirements through litigation.
Healthcare works best when we work together. Physicians, APPs, and other healthcare professionals all play an important role in caring for North Carolina patients. Strong team-based care brings those professionals together while ensuring patients have access to the right level of expertise when they need it.
Good physician supervision and meaningful collaboration are not barriers to care—they are important parts of delivering safe, coordinated, high-quality care.
NCMS encourages physicians and PAs across the state to stay informed and engaged on this issue. NCMS is rolling out additional information, including an action alert for you to express your views on this topic. Please watch for emails from NCMS in the coming days and we will continue to provide updates through the Weekly Dose as the case moves forward.