Advocacy Archives

Court Victory Prompts Department of Education to Recognize PA Programs as Professional Degree Programs

Following the federal court's preliminary relief in AAPA and PAEA's legal challenge, the U.S. Department of Education has issued updated implementation guidance recognizing PA programs as professional degree programs for purposes of administering the new federal student loan limits while the Court's order remains in effect.

July 1, 2026

Block on ED’s Definition of “Professional Degree” Is the First, Not Final, Legal Victory

While AAPA and PAEA forge ahead in the next chapter of this legal fight, pre-PAs and others in the PA community may have questions about what “preliminary relief” means for students this fall and the status of our case. While we don’t have all the answers at this juncture, we want to provide you with as much insight as we can.

June 26, 2026

Federal Court Delivers Major Victory for PA Students, Patients, and the Future Healthcare Workforce

Today, a federal court blocked the Department of Education's rule affecting federal student loan limits for physician assistant students while the case proceeds, granting preliminary relief to AAPA and PAEA in their legal challenge.

June 25, 2026

Three Landmark Bills to Modernize PA Practice and Expand Access to Care Become Law in Alaska

In less than a week, Alaska took several significant steps forward in modernizing PA practice in the state through passage of SB 89, HB 110, and HB 195, marking an exciting moment for the PA profession and for Alaska’s patients.

June 24, 2026

Half the Country Now Part of PA Licensure Compact as Rhode Island Becomes 25th Member

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) celebrates Rhode Island becoming the 25th member of the PA Licensure Compact, following Governor Dan McKee’s signing of HB 7127.

June 15, 2026

Rhode Island Becomes 25th State in PA Licensure Compact, Marking Major Moment in Compact Adoption

On June 12, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee signed HB 7127 into law, making Rhode Island the 25th member of the PA Licensure Compact. This officially brings the PA Licensure Compact to half the nation, a major achievement since the compact’s model language was finalized and states began introducing language in December 2022.

June 15, 2026

Physician Associate Organizations Sue Department of Education to Protect PA Students’ Access to Federal Student Loans

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) and the PA Education Association (PAEA) today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, challenging the final Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) rule as unlawful ahead of its July 1 implementation date.

June 3, 2026

Advocacy in Action: Energized for the Work Ahead

It’s been a little over a week since we returned from AAPA 2026, and the Advocacy Division is feeling more energized than ever about the progress made over the past year and the outlook for the future of the profession.

June 1, 2026

AAPA Statement in Support of the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act (H.R. 8163)

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) expresses strong support for the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act (H.R. 8163) as the House Ways and Means Committee prepares to consider the legislation during its May 21, 2026 full Committee markup.

May 21, 2026

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