This article from The National Law Review details trends influencing scope of practice expansion for advanced practice providers (APPs). In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many states granted expanded scope of practice to AAPs to meet demand for healthcare services, and some of those temporary orders have been signed into permanent legislation. The opioid crisis has likewise increased demand for healthcare services, and prescriptive authority of nurse practitioners has been expanded under federal law to include addiction treating drugs. Another increase in demand for health services comes from aging rural populations, with some states allowing independent practice for certain APPs to meet this need.