Playing for the Team

PA Brooke Smith, a former WNBA player, traded in her basketball for a stethoscope.

Key Legislation Becomes Law in West Virginia

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice signed S.B. 1014 into law today. The new legislation, which becomes effective on September 7, 2017, allows PAs to work with “collaborating” rather than “supervising” physicians, expands PA prescriptive authority for Schedule III medications to 30 days from the current restriction of 72 hours, allows PAs to be reimbursed at the same rate as physicians and APRNs by prohibiting discrimination by insurance plans, adds an additional PA to the medical board, and authorizes PAs to sign an extensive list of forms that previously had to be signed by a physician, including death certificates.

New AMA Policy Opposes Autonomous State PA Boards

At the annual meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA) held June 9-14, delegates passed a resolution opposing autonomous state PA boards. This resolution was introduced following AAPA’s House of Delegates approval of Optimal Team Practice (OTP) last month.

The Robot Will See You Now

The robot and its human handlers are part of a new model of care, in which PAs and NPs and a robot provide a 24/7 link to highly specialized critical care physicians, who can log in from anywhere in the country and even the world.

PArenthood

Getting through PA school is a challenge for anyone, and particularly for parents of young children.

PAs are Key to Ortho Urgent Care Model

PA John Mohnickey, a longtime entrepreneur, recognized the need and developed Prompt Ortho. This practice model has been adopted by more than 100 clinics across the United States.

PA Profession Poised to Advance

More than 7,000 of us had an incredible week in Las Vegas at AAPA 2017! I’d like to share a few thoughts about the conference and what’s ahead for PAs, our patients and practice.