EAST SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- More nurse practitioners may help fix the physician shortage problem. This is one issue the Obama administration is looking to fix as the cost of a medical education is turning many future doctors away from the profession.

We visited a family nurse practitioner's office in East Syracuse that attends to about 3,000 patients.

A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with a master’s degree who can provide various primary care and specialty roles.

An NP can provide most health care services including supplying prescriptions but in New York State must collaborate with a physician.

There is a bill in front of the state legislature that if passed could allow nurse practitioners to practice without a collaborating physician.

"In New York State you have to have a collaborating physician. In 14 other states, nurse practitioners don't need a collaborating physician and we would like to eliminate that piece of legislation in New York State," said Mary Oot.

2009 marks the 21st anniversary that legislation was passed allowing nurse practitioners to practice in New York State.

There are about 13,000 licensed nurse practitioners in New York State.