News

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On July 1, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed S.128, an act related to physician assistant licensure, into law. The legislation was the result of years of hard work by the PA Academy of Vermont (PAAV) and significantly improves PA practice in Vermont.

https://www.aapa.org/news-central/2020/07/vermont-governor-signs-act-modernizing-pa-practice/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=aapa_post&utm_campaign=news_central

https://www.fapaonline.org/page/legisvic/Legislative-Victory.htm

The ADPA had an informational meeting for prospective members this week. For those that were unable to make this meeting, the ADPA compiled a presentation covering the basics of that meeting. Please check it out under the membership tab or follow this URL:  https://academyofdoctoralpas.wildapricot.org/Video-on-ADPA

The ADPA is hard at work, looking at ways to advance and shape our profession. One way in which the profession can advance is to promote leadership, whether in the clinic, in legislature, or in administration. As a result of this desire to promote leadership, the ADPA is planning its first conference and relating all CME topics to leadership and the various ways PAs can advance our profession. The timeline for this conference is 12-18 months, so sign-up for our newsletter (on the membership page) for updates relating to time, place, and topics!

Many PAs have seen posts and tweets asking for signatures to allow federally employed PAs to practice independently within their scope and training. Full practice authority (the first step of optimal team practice) at the federal level would be a huge step forward for PAs. This is legislation that could be accomplished via the White House through an executive order, whereas state-level changes are driven through state-sponsored legislation. However, it would provide a much-needed precedent for states as a drive for change. You may read the petition here:  https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/grant-pas-full-practice-authority-function-licensed-independent-practitioners-federal-jurisdictions?fbclid=IwAR1ejn0GNfDd7ZxGGykCTawJAJaOmO_rKw70lcirBdImLf2ouhObNxl5AvU

PAs are a necessary solution to COVID. This is because our unique training enables us to switch fields and fill gaps, but outdated laws prevent PAs from serving our patients who need us now more than ever. As a former ER PA with more than 2 years of experience in the emergency room and more than 14 years testing, diagnosing and treating patients, I currently CANNOT step back into the ER because of arbitrary state laws. There are 140,000 PAs in the US ready to serve where needed.

Nicole Mason, DMSc, PA-C

https://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/489985-more-physician-assistants-are-ready-to-help-with-covid-19-now-governors?fbclid=IwAR1VX2RtlGn6uK002b7y_VirXyh2Kdc4xEtEEoccaQExVWLslqlzz4yVIRM&fbclid=IwAR1uz9qRvvE074RCXqQSkkm-0I2tHtT66YvZo77ChIbAWiNnPNHFfzQCMO0

We do not yet know all of the ramifications of the CoVid 19 virus in the United States. The virus may turn out to be widespread or localized to certain areas. However, business leaders and human resource personnel need to be considering the implications of what a widespread outbreak will look like for their companies. Employees who are confirmed to have the virus or those who have been exposed are probably going to be off duty for at least 14 days. Schools may close leaving employees without childcare. Employees may be the caregiver for family members who are ill.

2019 saw state legislative wins for the PA profession. With a focus shifting from supervisory to collaborative practice in states such as Indiana, Missouri, and Virginia other states have begun legislation to follow suit. New legislation in Florida seeks to allow PAs to open their own practices and designates them as primary care providers. Oklahoma legislation seeks to move to a collaborative model. Washington state PA legislation seeks to overhaul current PA practice as well. PAs have been at the forefront of the medical community for over 50 years. The next fifty years will likely be as active for the PA profession.

On November 1, 2019, the ADPA was made aware of Psychology Today's ignorance of the PA profession as licensed health care providers. As such, the ADPA responded to inform and educate them about our profession. If you would like to see our formal response, please sign-in.