Now law, House Bill (HB) 402 modifies the definition of hospitals, allowing rural emergency hospitals which comply with Medicare conditions to be licensed as hospitals, according to Missouri District 7 Representative Peggy Mc-Gaugh. “The Missouri General Assembly this year passed several provisions aimed at bettering access to healthcare in Missouri. HB 402 will reduce barriers and allow advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to practice fully with their education and training.” said McGaugh. “Both of these provisions in HB 402 will go a long way in ensuring that our citizens have access to good, quality healthcare – especially in our rural areas.” With the new law, “hospital” is now defined as a place devoted primarily to the maintenance and operation of facilities for the diagnosis, treatment or care for not less than 24 consecutive hours in any week of three or more unrelated individuals suffering from illness, disease, injury, deformity or other abnormal physical conditions;…