On behalf of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), I write to express AAPA’s support for HB 746, which eliminates the requirement for a physician assistant to have a practice agreement with a physician.
PAs are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice. Often serving as the patient’s main healthcare provider, PAs diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret lab tests, prescribe medications, perform medical procedures and examinations, and perform key components in surgery.
PAs are rigorously educated medical professionals who earn a master’s degree. Incoming PA students must have a bachelor’s degree and have typically completed prerequisite coursework in basic and behavioral sciences and upwards of 3,000 hours of direct patient contact. PA education programs provide classroom training in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, physical diagnosis, behavioral sciences, and medical ethics. This is followed by at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice rotations in medical and surgical disciplines such as family medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, and psychiatry.
HB 746 is a part of the solution to bring greater flexibility to the healthcare system by allowing PAs to deliver care where they’re needed without unnecessary administrative burdens mandated by the state. This is about expanding access to care and ensuring the state fully leverages the education, training, and experience of its PA workforce.
Most importantly, these changes would improve access to care for patients. As one of the fastest growing medical professions, PAs are positioned to make a positive and lasting impact on patient care. Public opinion research, conducted by The Harris Poll, found that patients overwhelmingly support PAs as part of the solution to address the shortage of healthcare providers (91%). They recognize that PAs increase access to care and make medical appointments easier to obtain (90%).
A new study “Medical Malpractice Payment Reports of Physician Assistants/Associates Related to State Practice Laws and Regulation” published in the Journal of Medical Regulation examined 10 years of medical malpractice payment reports compared to the laws and regulations of states for the same time period and found that states with more permissive practice environments compared to restrictive states had no increased risk of PA medical malpractice payment reports. The research also determined that almost all PA practice reforms (such as allowing PAs to practice in collaboration or without a formal relationship without a physician) lead to a reduction in medical malpractice payment reports for PAs and physicians.
AAPA is committed to improving patient access to care. Removing barriers to PA practice and improving the regulatory environment in Virginia is an essential component of that. We appreciate the opportunity to provide input on this legislation and look forward to addressing access issues in Virginia.
On behalf of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), I write to express AAPA’s support for HB 746, which eliminates the requirement for a physician assistant to have a practice agreement with a physician. PAs are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice. Often serving as the patient’s main healthcare provider, PAs diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret lab tests, prescribe medications, perform medical procedures and examinations, and perform key components in surgery. PAs are rigorously educated medical professionals who earn a master’s degree. Incoming PA students must have a bachelor’s degree and have typically completed prerequisite coursework in basic and behavioral sciences and upwards of 3,000 hours of direct patient contact. PA education programs provide classroom training in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, physical diagnosis, behavioral sciences, and medical ethics. This is followed by at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice rotations in medical and surgical disciplines such as family medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, and psychiatry. HB 746 is a part of the solution to bring greater flexibility to the healthcare system by allowing PAs to deliver care where they’re needed without unnecessary administrative burdens mandated by the state. This is about expanding access to care and ensuring the state fully leverages the education, training, and experience of its PA workforce. Most importantly, these changes would improve access to care for patients. As one of the fastest growing medical professions, PAs are positioned to make a positive and lasting impact on patient care. Public opinion research, conducted by The Harris Poll, found that patients overwhelmingly support PAs as part of the solution to address the shortage of healthcare providers (91%). They recognize that PAs increase access to care and make medical appointments easier to obtain (90%). A new study “Medical Malpractice Payment Reports of Physician Assistants/Associates Related to State Practice Laws and Regulation” published in the Journal of Medical Regulation examined 10 years of medical malpractice payment reports compared to the laws and regulations of states for the same time period and found that states with more permissive practice environments compared to restrictive states had no increased risk of PA medical malpractice payment reports. The research also determined that almost all PA practice reforms (such as allowing PAs to practice in collaboration or without a formal relationship without a physician) lead to a reduction in medical malpractice payment reports for PAs and physicians. AAPA is committed to improving patient access to care. Removing barriers to PA practice and improving the regulatory environment in Virginia is an essential component of that. We appreciate the opportunity to provide input on this legislation and look forward to addressing access issues in Virginia.