In a series of new billboard messages along I-77 outside Statesville, Pacific Legal Foundation is calling attention to rural America's need for nurses, “not government roadblocks.” North Carolina has one of the worst nursing shortages in the country.
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2847988/PLF_NC_Healthcare_Billboards_Square.jpg
“North Carolinians living in rural counties shouldn't have to drive hours to get basic care – or go without care altogether – because oflawsthat impose unnecessaryburdensthat impede patient access,” saidDonna Matias, PLF attorney. “These billboardsmake it clear: Government roadblocks are preventing qualified healthcare professionals from treating patients in North Carolina.”
North Carolina's regulatory regime places heavy burdens on nurses, particularly advanced-practice registered nurses (APRNs). The state is one of only 13 that still requires APRNs tomaintaina costly, physician-supervised “collaborative practice agreement” before they canindependentlypractice.North Carolina also requires providers to obtain a”certificate of need”before opening a new hospital, nursing home, or dialysis center, expandingbed capacity, or evenpurchasingcertain medical equipment-which furtherimpactsnurses.
Meanwhile,North Carolina has theeighth worst nursing shortagein the country.Nearly 70of North Carolina's 80 rural counties are consideredmedical deserts.Historically, nurse practitioners and nurse midwives havefilled gaps left by physicians in rural America;now, because of North Carolina's ill-conceived healthcare regulations, nurses are struggling to provide much-needed care.
PLF-a national public interest law firm thatrepresentsall clients free of charge-is looking for nurses in North Carolina who want to challengethe state's laws in court.Learn more andsubmita case athttps://pacificlegal.org/north-carolina-needs-nurses/.
About Pacific Legal FoundationPacific Legal Foundation is a national nonprofit law firm that defends Americans threatened by government overreach and abuse. Since our founding in 1973, we challenge the government when it violates individual liberty and constitutional rights. With active cases in 34 states plus Washington, D.C., PLF represents clients in state and federal courts, with 18 wins of 20 cases litigated at the U.S. Supreme Court.
https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/img/favicon.png?sn=DC49980&sd=2025-12-17
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-billboards-slam-north-carolinas-roadblocks-for-nurses-302644977.html
SOURCE Pacific Legal Foundation
https://rt.newswire.ca/rt.gif?NewsItemId=DC49980&Transmission_Id=202512171217PR_NEWS_USPR_____DC49980&DateId=20251217