Reform for a Healthy Future: Expanding Scope of Practice for Nurse Practitioners in Texas

May 21, 2014

John Daniel Davidson

John Davidson is a former senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Davidson began his career in journalism, and has worked for a wide variety of publications and media companies.

Texas suffers from a shortage of primary care providers and overly-restrictive scope of practice laws for nurses. It's time to change both.

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Governor’s Healthcare Plan is a Solid Start

We applaud the Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to remove unnecessary Obamacare-era mandates. It is critical to open up more options for Texans in the currently restrictive healthcare markets. Texas needs healthy healthcare again. Far lower costs with the same or even better level of medical care are easily achievable now, but restricted by outdated...

August 6, 2026

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Growing Pains: The Cost and Contribution of Impact Fees in Texas

Texas’s rapidly growing population requires new infrastructure and improvements, which oftentimes come at great expense. To fund these projects, local officials often impose impact fees on new development—but their use comes at a cost. Key points: Texas is the fastest-growing state in the nation. As such, it has robust infrastructure requirements. To help finance capital...

August 12, 2026

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A proven way for Texas lawmakers to improve primary health care access

The shortage of primary care providers isn't just a rural issue. Shortages are found in major metropolitan areas and impact Texans of all coverage stripes — those with private insurance, no insurance, CHIP or Medicaid. A recent survey by Dallas-based Merritt Hawkins showed the nationwide average wait time to see a family practice physician in mid-sized cities was up to 122 days. That’s four months to find out if your belly pain is gas, an ulcer or cancer.

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John Daniel Davidson

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A proven way for Texas lawmakers to improve primary health care access