Maryland Governor Vetoes Nurse Practioner Bill

Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening (D) May 17 vetoed a bill that "would have let nurse practioners serve as primary care providers" for HMO members, saying he was concerned that consumers would be "coerced" by managed care companies into choosing nurses instead of doctors, the Baltimore Sun reports. Glendening said, "We have had to take many steps to protect people from the HMOs who focus more on economics than on health care delivery. This bill could erode those protections." He added that there was a "lack of consensus among health care professionals" about the role of nurse practioners. The veto -- a "victory for the doctors' lobby" -- was a "bitter blow" to nurse practitioners, who have advocated such legislation for years. Currently, there are about 1,600 nurse practitioners -- nurses who obtain advanced degrees -- practicing in Maryland, the Sun reports. Del. Marilyn Goldwater (D), a nurse by training, said she was "surprised and disappointed" by the veto of a measure that she said would have demonstrated that nurses are "valued and respected." Disagreeing with some of Glendening's concerns, she said, "There is no way that HMOs could replace doctors with nurse practioners" (Dresser, Baltimore Sun, 5/18).