It has been reported that there is a shortage of primary care physicians.  The dearth of physicians may be exacerbated by an increase in need for health care caused by the full implementation of the Affordable Care Act in the near future.

Many states (about a third) currently allow nurse practitioners to practice without the supervision of a physician.  Should this avenue for an additional source of clinical care be expanded to help fill the shortage in primary care?

The Wall Street Journal recently addressed this issue, and provided opposing views in, “Should Nurse Practitioners Be Able to Treat Patients Without Physician Supervision?”

Please check out the article, and give us your input!