Essential Nurse Compact Legislation Signed into Law in Indiana
- News
Bill will facilitate ease of care and better patient outcomes for bi-state providers, including Hosparus Health
(New Albany, IN) – After months of coordinated advocacy efforts, Indiana’s Gov. Holcomb signed the nurse licensure sure compact into law on Wednesday, May 1. House bill 1344, authored by New Albany Rep. Ed Clere, adds Indiana to a list of 31 states participating in the interstate compact, which allows nurses to cross state lines without duplicative licenses.
Hosparus Health, a bi-state provider of hospice and palliative care, advocated for the legislation over the past two years, along with partner organizations Greater Louisville Inc., Baptist Health and One Southern Indiana.
“The nurse licensure compact allows our nurses to practice in our entire footprint without arbitrary and burdensome regulations because they crossed the river,” said Gwen Cooper, Senior Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer for Hosparus Health. “It means that we can provide high quality care to more patients faster, and that’s what matters.”
Nurses who hold a valid nursing license in a compact-member state and have successfully completed the application for the multi-state license are permitted to practice among the 32 member states freely. Kentucky is currently the only state bordering Indiana that is a member, while Illinois and Michigan have legislation pending.