PA Advocates Throughout the State Geared Up for Legislative Day

GREENSBURG, Pa. (September 24, 2019) – The Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA) today commends Senator Tom Killion and Representative Curt Sonney for introducing legislation to modernize state PA (physician assistant) practice laws. This package of legislation would make changes to current law that will ensure PAs in Pennsylvania can provide patient care in the most efficient and effective way possible.

“As the need for more healthcare providers continues to be a concern across the country, Pennsylvanians are very fortunate to have access to the second highest concentration of PAs in the country. Unfortunately, current laws and regulations are placing unnecessary burdens on the physician/PA team,” PSPA President Jackie Borst, PA-C, said.

“PSPA urges the legislature to pass this legislation and place decision-making back in the hands of PAs and the physicians they practice with. Physicians and PAs need more flexibility to quickly adapt to a changing practice environment while ensuring patient safety.”

PAs are medical providers who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and often serve as a principal healthcare provider. With thousands of hours of medical training, PAs are versatile and collaborative. PAs practice in every medical setting and specialty, improving healthcare access and quality.

The PA profession is one of the fastest growing in the country. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the profession will increase 37 percent from 2016 to 2026, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. Today, there are more than 8,818 practicing PAs in Pennsylvania.

Borst said PSPA’s Physician Assistant Modernization Act Legislative Day on September 24 was an opportunity to educate members of the legislature about the PA profession and to seek support for the legislation.

The legislation will:

• Place a physician assistant on the Medical Board and Osteopathic Board with a permanent seat,
• Remove the requirement of a physician countersignature on 100% of patient files,
• Allow a written agreement to be “filed” instead of “approved” by the Medical and Osteopathic Boards (to allow physician assistants to immediately begin working instead of waiting 120 days or longer for the medical boards.)
• Outline what supervision means to ensure laws and regulations do not hinder the physician, physician assistant, patient relationship.

Advocates can learn more about the legislation and contact their representatives through PSPA’s Action Center.

About the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA)
The Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA) was established in 1976. As a nonprofit organization, the PSPA strives to be representative of all physician assistants within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Engage with us on Facebook and LinkedIn.