Press Releases Archives

AAPA Commends U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler for Introducing Legislation to Protect Access to Student Loans for PAs, Other Professions

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) commends U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17-R) for introducing legislation to ensure physician associates/assistants (PAs) and several other professions are included in the “professional” tier for federal student loans.

December 18, 2025

AAPA White Paper Explores the 60-Year Evolution of the PA Profession, Present Challenges, and Opportunities to Change Healthcare Delivery

Today, the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) unveiled a new white paper, “Physician Associates: A Modern Evolution 1965–2035.” Developed in collaboration with more than 30 PA and PA student thought leaders, the paper synthesizes the historical evolution, current landscape, and future directions of the PA profession.

December 10, 2025

AAPA Statement on ED Decision to Place Restrictive Caps on PA Student Loans

American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) President and Chair of the Board of Directors, Todd Pickard, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, FASCO, issued a statement in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s negotiated rulemaking, where federal negotiators agreed to a definition of “professional program” that would exclude physician associates (PAs) from eligibility for higher federal student loan limits.

November 7, 2025

New White Paper Urges Policymakers to Modernize Practice Laws to Unlock AI’s Full Potential in Healthcare

As the U.S. confronts a historic healthcare workforce crisis, a new white paper released today calls on federal and state policymakers to modernize outdated laws, regulations, and payment systems in order to harness the full potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in care delivery.

October 21, 2025

HealthFORCE, AAPA, and West Health Release “Aging Well with AI” – First in a Two-Part Series on AI and the Healthcare Workforce

HealthFORCE, a national alliance of leaders dedicated to addressing the root causes of America’s healthcare workforce crisis, along with the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) and West Health, today released “Aging Well with AI: Empowering Care through Innovation."

October 6, 2025

Leaders Across the Nation Celebrate PA Week and PA Profession’s Impact

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) proudly announces more than 10 local and state leaders have proclaimed October 6-12 as PA Week, recognizing the critical role of physician associates/assistants (PAs).

October 6, 2025

AAPA Launches Vital Rounds Microlearning Platform to Address Pressing Clinical Topics, Boost Healthcare Workforce Readiness

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) has released a collection of 10, four-part video series hosted by physician associate/assistant (PA) subject matter experts.

September 24, 2025

AAPA Applauds CMS for Incentivizing Optimal Practice Environments in Rural Health Transformation Program

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) today commended the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for incentivizing optimal practice environments in its newly released Rural Health Transformation Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

September 15, 2025

AAPA Statement on Passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill”

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) President and Chair of the Board, Todd Pickard, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, FASCO, issued the following statement today in response to the passage of H.R.1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”

July 3, 2025