Governor Newson passed AB5 protecting the rights of "gig" workers stating the bill "erodes basic worker protections like the minimum wage, paid sick days, and health insurance benefits" but this also took away the right for Nurse Practitioners with higher level education from working as independent contractors. The need is evident in current health care. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2018, California had 13, 420 Nurse Practitioners.  If you take away the right for the Nurse Practitioner to accept work as an independent contractor, you take away their choice to decide between a W2 or 1099.  Many Nurse Practitioners practice with autonomy within their scope of practice and under the collaborative model with their supervising physician.   This is unequal treatment as this law does not apply to MDs. Nurse practitioners are more than capable to negotiate proper compensation for their work; this should remain a choice.  We understand the "gig" profession can benefit from this but it does not suit our profession. In addition, we did not get the opportunity to oppose this bill. It was signed into a law assuming that it was beneficial to all those labeled independent contractors; however, it restricts a number of us from practicing independently.