Advocacy

Today, the vast majority of physician associates (PAs) graduate from PA school with a master’s degree. But the recent proliferation of doctoral programs, including PA-specific programs that culminate with a Doctor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies or Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc), has raised critical questions across the PA community.

Given that professional autonomy is shaped by the laws of the state in which a PA practices, understanding [the] patchwork of state-by-state regulation is essential for every PA—and for the patients and employers who rely on them.

Gov. Josh Stein signed House Bill 67 on July 1, which commits the state’s entry into the physician assistant licensure compact and removes outdated supervisory requirements. Truett Smith, a Charlotte-based PA, offered insight on what this law will do to improve healthcare access.

Charlotte PA Truett Smith explains the significance of HB 67, which brings North Carolina into the PA Licensure Compact and removes outdated supervision mandates.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed a bill into law on July 1 that includes 2 key reforms affecting physician associates (PAs). The new law enters North Carolina into the interstate PA licensure compact and removes supervisory requirements for experienced PAs who practice in team-based settings.

Recent projections, in fact, suggest that the US will be short by more than 3 million healthcare workers by next year, which will have significant impact on the country’s ability to provide timely and effective patient care. To help fill this gap, many states are pursuing new legislation to modernize physician associate (PA) practice, allowing PAs to work at the top of their knowledge, experience, and skillset.

This month Maine became the second state and New Hampshire the third to change the formal recognized name of physician assistants to physician associates. In Oklahoma and South Dakota, the respective legislatures changed PA rules of practice, including requirements for working with physicians.

Maine has officially become the second state to change the title of “physician assistant” to “physician associate,” according to a June 14 news release from the American Academy of Physician Associates.

Physician assistants could achieve more autonomy with Senate Bill 345, which would eliminate a physician supervision requirement for those who meet certain criteria.