House Committee Passes a Package of Scope of Practice Bills

March 21, 2024

The House Health Finance and Policy Committee heard HF 4247 (Liebling, DFL– Rochester), an omnibus bill that includes mostly non–controversial scope of practice changes. Fortunately, the bill does not include two scope of practice changes that the MMA opposed.  

Earlier this session, the committee heard multiple bills that would change the scope of practice for several different practice groups. The MMA opposed two of these proposed changes – for optometrists and pharmacists. 

The optometry scope change that the MMA opposed lifted existing statutory caps on optometric prescribing of oral antiviral drugs, steroids, and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and expanded their authority to provide intravitreal injections. The MMA argued that the limits on optometric prescribing currently in statute serve an important purpose in protecting the public, arguing the proposed expansion includes powerful drugs that can have significant side effects when used improperly or for extended periods.  

While optometrists are a critical part of the healthcare team and are well trained to provide many health services related to eyes and eyesight, they do not have the same level of training as physicians, and specifically of ophthalmologists. 

The other controversial expansion that was not included in the House bill was an expansion for pharmacists that would lower the age at which pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can administer vaccinations to 3-year-olds. The MMA has argued that, if the age was lowered, it will lead to fewer well-child visits and interfere with continuity of care.  

While the MMA is pleased that these two provisions are not in the House scope of practice bill, both provisions are still under consideration in the Senate.