SAN DIEGO—A bill allowing nurse practitioners meeting specified criteria to practice without physician supervision—including first-trimester abortion—has been introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), she announced on March 3. Atkins said Senate Bill (SB) 1375  is intended to help address the shortage of health care professionals and complement recommendations from the California Future of Abortion Council as a way to strengthen abortion services. “With an increasing shortage of providers, far too many Californians are struggling to get the care they need, when they need it,” she said. “Patients—especially pregnant people considering abortion—don’t have time to waste. That’s why it is so important that highly skilled, qualified nurse practitioners have the opportunity to practice independently, including the ability to provide first term abortions.” The bill would widen access and affordability to abortion services and health care by increasing the number of nurse practitioners able to perform an abortion, …