Arkansas Legislative Session 2009
Action Summary

Establishment of a statewide trauma system (Act 393)
Credentialing – Act 350 requires insurance carriers to process physician applications within 90 days, down from the current 180 days.
Any Willing Provider – Act 702 expands our AWP law to apply to the State Teachers/Public Employee Insurance program.
Physician Delegation – Act 472 is perhaps the biggest win of the session. This Act ends a long-running dispute with the Nursing Board regarding the physician’s right to delegate tasks to medical assistants (i.e. giving injections).
Legal immunity for physicians responding to disasters (Act 432)
Public health – tobacco tax; primary seat belt law; graduated drivers license (Acts 180, 308, 394)
Defeated efforts by APNs for “independent practice” and classification as “primary care providers” (HB 1134 and HB 2027).
Defeated HB 1108 which would have prohibited physician ownership of imaging centers. This bill would have created problems for legitimate practice arrangements.
Amended a Physical Therapy bill that would have prohibited physicians from employing physical therapists (ACT 1471).
Defeated amendment to the Medicaid False Claims Act designed to “promote lawsuits” (HB 2103).
Acupuncture – Act 1461 STOPS acupuncturists from practicing medicine (some have been illegally prescribing, administering and injecting drugs).