Advocacy News Archives

AAPA Calls on Governors to Empower Physician Assistants in COVID-19 Fight

AAPA is calling on all governors in all states to waive physician supervision or collaboration requirements for PAs during a declared public health emergency or disaster through executive orders.

March 31, 2020

PAs in Kentucky Celebrate the Closing of the Great Divide Between Their State and All Other PA Practice Jurisdictions

A major victory has been achieved for PAs and their patients in Kentucky, which also marks a monumental milestone in the history of the profession. The enactment of HB 135 will finally authorize PAs in the state to prescribe controlled medications.

March 28, 2020

Federal COVID-19 Emergency Legislation Authorizes PAs to Order Home Health Services

President signs legislation authorizing PAs and NPs to order home healthcare services for Medicare patients (in a manner consistent with state law). With the ability to order home health services, PAs can help to free up hospital beds for COVID-19 patients.

March 27, 2020

Washington State Enacts Improvements to PA Practice Laws

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee has signed HB 2378 enacting several improvements for PA practice in the state including the removal of requirements for Commission approval of practice agreements and Commission approval for PA practice in remote sites.

March 27, 2020

AAPA Commends Senate for Including Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act in COVID-19 Emergency Legislation

AAPA applauds the U.S. Senate for passing the Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act (S. 296/H.R. 2150) as an inclusion in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the “CARES Act” (H.R. 748).

March 26, 2020

Advocacy Update COVID-19 Response thumbnail

COVID-19 Response: AAPA Actively Working to Remove State Practice Barriers

As PAs are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response, AAPA is partnering with state PA chapters to remove state barriers that prevent PAs from fully practicing to the top of their education, training, and experience.

March 25, 2020

Maine Association of Physician Assistants

Maine Legislature Fast-Tracks PA Legislation to Help Combat COVID-19

Maine’s governor signed LD 1660, an Act to Improve Access to Physician Assistant Care, to help address the public health crisis of COVID-19 in Maine. It was under consideration before the legislature adjourned indefinitely. This was Maine Association of PAs top legislative priority.

March 19, 2020

Iowa PAs in the Iowa State Capitol building

Iowa Governor Signs Comprehensive Legislation to Improve PA Practice

Iowa PAs will be able to provide increased access to healthcare thanks to the enactment of S.F. 2357. This new law makes several changes to the PA practice act and associated rules which remove numerous burdens on PAs practicing in the state.

March 19, 2020

CMS Expands Medicare Telemedicine Coverage

CMS announced expanded Medicare telehealth coverage to enable beneficiaries to receive a wider range of healthcare services without having to travel to an office, clinic or health care facility. Previously, Medicare was only allowed to pay health professionals for telemedicine services in certain situations.

March 18, 2020

Advocacy

Topics