What's at Stake?
Why the New Hampshire Medical Society invests to advocate for scope of practice.
Scope of practice legislation is not about protecting professions. It is about protecting patients, preserving quality standards, and ensuring New Hampshire healthcare policy reflects the realities of modern medical practice.
Patient Safety
Independent practice proposals often remove important safeguards that support team-based care and coordinated treatment.
Patient Trust
Scope of practice expansion can affect patient trust when patients become uncertain about who is responsible for their care, and whether healthcare systems are prioritizing convenience or cost over expertise and continuity.
Independent practice across multiple settings can sometimes lead to fragmented care, including inconsistent treatment recommendations, duplicative prescribing and communication gaps. Patients often interpret these experiences as failures of the healthcare system itself, which can diminish trust in both institutions and clinicians.
As care becomes more fragmented, patients may struggle to identify who is directing their care plan, who is accountable for diagnostic decisions, and who is coordinating medications, referrals, and follow-up.
Physician-Led Care
Healthcare works best when physicians lead collaborative teams. The issue is not whether these professionals are valuable — it is whether independent authority should replace physician-led collaboration.
Patient Uncertainty
Today’s scope bills shape liability exposure, referral expectations, prescribing standards, reimbursement structures, and physician workforce sustainability.
Take Action - Join NHMS Advocacy Efforts
Physician Voices Matter. Legislators consistently report that hearing directly from practicing physicians has the greatest impact on healthcare legislation. Your real-world experience matters, including examples of missed diagnoses, fragmented care, prescribing concerns, care coordination failures, and challenges managing medically complex patients. Without physician engagement, lawmakers may hear only one side of the issue.
Many physicians are unaware of how rapidly scope legislation is evolving. Participate in:
- Legislative Committee
- Policy work groups
- Testify at hearings
- Talk with your colleagues and help with grassroots outreach.
- Contact NHMS at info@nhms.org
Scope of Practice Expansion Efforts
Recently, the Medical Society and other states have worked to oppose scope legislation of Optometrists, pharmacists, and physician associates. Click the links to see how prescribing in New Hampshire compares with other States in the US.
Ophthalmological Scope
Pharmacy Scope
Physician Associate
Reach of Ophthalmologists in New Hampshire within a 60 mile radius:
