AAPA Continues Pushing Back, Shares PA Views on AMA Attacks

September 3, 2024

AAPA sent a second letter to the American Medical Association (AMA) today, after the AMA did not respond to the request for a meeting included in AAPA’s July 30th letter.

The follow-up continued to underscore AAPA’s intention to collaborate with the AMA on a better path forward and once again urged the AMA to put an end to its so-called “scope creep” campaign. However, the silence from the AMA and its continued spread of misinformation compels AAPA to respond on behalf of the PA profession.

Today’s communication served as the release of an open letter with 8,000 PA signatures condemning the AMA’s misrepresentation of the PA profession.

AAPA’s letter also included new survey results that illuminate the negative impacts of AMA’s campaign.

The results of the survey reflect the opinions of more than 4,900 PAs. The findings make it clear that this campaign is hurting the PA profession, PA relationships with patients, and the healthcare system at large.

Key findings of the survey shared with AMA include the following:

• 96.0% say the campaign has had a negative impact on addressing healthcare workforce shortages.
• 95.2% believe it has negatively impacted efforts to expand access to care for patients.
• 90.4% of PAs report that the campaign has negatively impacted the healthcare system.
• 81.0% report it has had a negative or very negative effect on their ability to provide care.
• 81.7% reported a negative or very negative impact of the campaign on their relationships with patients.
• 91.9% assert it has negatively impacted patients’ trust in the U.S. healthcare system.
• 89.5% believe the AMA’s scope creep campaign has negatively impacted patients’ understanding of PA qualifications to provide care.

The robust response and participation in the AAPA calls-to-action emphasize how important this issue is to the PA community and the patients PAs serve. As AAPA presses on in its mission to find common ground and chart a path for stronger collaboration in the future, PAs are encouraged to stay engaged in this effort.

For more information, as well as resources and engagement opportunities, please visit AAPA’s Stop Healthcare Obstruction webpage.

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