News and Commentary
New Jersey lawmakers have rejected legislation that would have expanded the scope of practice of advanced practice registered nurses. Groups such as the American Medical Association have praised the move as ensuring quality for patients, but it’s likely this move will only make ongoing medical care shortages worse. Similar calls to constrain scope of practice have been made in light of recent moves by the Trump White House to create parity in Medicare payments between physicians and non-physicians.
The Editorial Board of TCPalm, a publication under USA Today, has written against three bills in the Florida legislature that would cut back on local regulations, including occupational licensing. The editorial decried the state government undermining the ability of local governments to make their own choices on regulations. Sarah Mueller at Florida Politics has reported on one of these three bills, HB 3, which would curtail local government power to impose further occupational licensing. This policy would enable greater geographic mobility for workers in Florida seeking employment.
Matthew Glans of the Heartland Institute has published an overview of Washington State’s shortage of dental services and how strict licensing standards are making the problem worse. He calls for passing a bill in Washington’s Senate that would enable greater enrolling of Dental Therapists who can provide many of the services as a dentist with significantly less cost
Idaho’s House Health and Welfare Committee is considering legislation to expand the scope of practice among eye doctors with regard to certain laser-assisted surgeries.
Alex Muresianu writes that Connecticut should consider occupational licensing reform to boost economic growth and help address the state’s revenue shortfall. He provides countless examples of unnecessary and intrusive licensing requirements, while also pointing to successful models for change like a recent bill passed in Arizona. Muresianu has also made similar informative points in The Detroit News when evaluating the economic harms both poor workers and Michigan’s state government receives with such unnecessary requirements.
Erik Gunn writes in Wisconsin Examiner about new legislation considered in the state assembly that would require new licensing policies undergo a cost-benefit analysis before being voted on by the legislature.
Drew Klein writes in the Quad-City Times on the necessity of taking down unnecessary and burdensome occupational licensing laws in the state of Iowa.
John Wrench writes to the editor in the Charleston Gazette-Mail on the evidence suggesting occupational licensing is doing more harm than good.
The Times West Virginian editorializes that occupational licensing reform is being pushed by malicious lobbying groups. They argue that costs for services do not fall with cuts on certain licenses and efforts to do so hurt technical colleges while undermining the government’s legitimacy. Of course under this spurious rationale, the labor market could be improved with endless requirements for training for people before entering any sector.
House Bill 982 in Virginia could require the state to recognize other states’ occupational licenses provided certain criteria or three years of work experience in another state. Arizona has passed a similar reciprocity bill.
Eric Boehm at Reason applauds Arizona Governor Doug Ducey for calling to open licensing boards to more members beyond the current licensed profession. Doing so would encourage less anti-competitive rules and prevent self-dealing, says Boehm. Reason’s John Stossel has made similar points about the costs of strict licensing on individuals with a criminal record.
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