State Rep. Phil Green today testified on his legislation that will cut red tape for Michigan nurses who want more freedom within their careers and get more people across the region medical care they need.

Green’s House Bill 4246 enters the state into the Nurse Licensure Compact, which gives registered or licensed nurses in Michigan the flexibility to work across state lines. The compact also allows nurses in other member states to practice in Michigan without having to go through costly, time-consuming and duplicative processes.

“Because of a lack of a compact, nurses from Michigan have to jump through many more hoops to secure a job as a traveling nurse to fill holes out of state and many nurses who are looking to potentially locate in Michigan end up taking jobs elsewhere as there is less bureaucracy to deal with,” Green said when addressing the legislation before the House Health Policy Committee. “The wall of licensure that is built around this state that keeps both licensed professionals out of our state and does not allow Michigan-based professionals to practice outside of our state does not serve our residents in the 21^st century.”

Green noted that his wife experienced challenges transferring her nursing license and securing a job in Michigan after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a college in Florida, taking State Board exams in Virginia and going from New York to Wisconsin to Michigan professionally.

“We struggled to finish the paperwork for the mortgage on our house because she needed to have a job in Michigan to get the mortgage, but she needed a license in Michigan for something she already was licensed for to be able to obtain a job. It was a mess,” Green said. “There are many people who go through these same headaches due to our rigid licensing laws. We can be more practical in our approach so we aren’t at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to recruiting and retaining vital care workers.”

The Nurse Licensure Compact currently consists of 43 jurisdictions nationwide. The compact is increasingly beneficial with the growing popularity of telehealth. Through these services, patients can receive care and communicate with medical professionals from their own homes or workplaces since providers can monitor patients’ vital signs, medications and other health parameters remotely. Telehealth can also reduce waiting times and extend healthcare options to patients in underserved areas.

HB 4246 remains under consideration in the House Health Policy Committee.

PHOTO INFORMATION: State Rep. Phil Green testifies on House Bill 4246 before the House Health Policy Committee on Wednesday, April 23.