NPs Banned From Performing Abortions

According to an article in the East Valley Tribune, a panel in the Arizona Senate voted last week to ban nurse practitioners from performing abortions. A physician testified that although he thought nurse practitioners were able to perform abortions, NPs are not prepared to handle complications that could arise from "invasive surgical procedures."

Angela Golden, vice president of the Arizona Nurse Practitioner Council, testified that NPs already perform procedures with patients under sedation and NPs are capable of recognizing complications. And, more than half of the abortions performed at Planned Parenthood in Tucson are performed by NPs. The state Board of Nursing has not specified whether it believes nurse practitioners should be able to perform abortions.

Lawmakers who did not support the bill claimed that it could reduce access and encourage unsafe practices for women seeking abortions.

Click on "comments" to post your thoughts.