Mississippi government is considering loosening regulation of nurse practitioners.

The state Board of Medical Licensure is scheduled to vote Thursday on a proposal to change a requirement that a nurse practitioner be supervised by a physician within 75 miles.

Instead, a nurse practitioner could be supervised by a primary care physician practicing anywhere in Mississippi.

The move is likely an attempt to head off legislation to end the supervision requirement entirely. Some bills could move forward next week.

The collaborating physician is supposed to review some of the nurse practitioner's medical records each month and meet with the nurse practitioner quarterly.

Nurse practitioners chafe at the collaboration requirement, saying they could open more clinics and improve health care access without it.

Nurses say no supervision is required in 22 states.