Heartland Impact Supports a Yes Vote on this Legislation
WHAT THIS BILL DOES
In Ohio, state Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-27th District) has introduced legislation that would create a multistate board to manage interstate cooperation for licensure of PAs. The compact is similar to legislation she authored and passed in 2022, which extends mental health counselors the privilege to practice in other member states. Senate Bill 28 would similarly allow PAs to practice in other states that join the compact. Once seven states pass the legislation, the compact will be enacted and officially “go live.”
Senate Bill 28 seeks to build on model legislation structuring the ability of licensed PAs to practice in other states that join the compact, reducing barriers of separate individual licensure for each state. Sections three and four of the legislation provide for patient safety and state sovereignty through restrictions and requirements for participating states and applicant PAs. These include the stipulation that the PA be fully licensed, and that the status of the license is not restricted. These sections allow for a state to sanction a PA from another state, but only for infractions that occur in and break the rules of that state.
OPPOSITION TO BILL
Due to increased demand, more and more patient care is handled by non-physician providers, included Physician Assistants. Some groups caution against this, and against legislation that would allow Physician Assistants to expand their practice without being part of a physician led team. These groups, such as the AMA, believe that patient care is at its best when practiced by a physician, the most highly trained healthcare professional.
This bill would expand where physician assistants are able to practice, but it does not expand the scope of their practice. This bill also requires that they are held to all the same patient safety and licensure requirements.
WHY THIS BILL SHOULD PASS
Through telemedicine and hands-on care, PA interstate compacts will strengthen access to medical services and allow PAs to extend their license across state lines to work to address needs in other compact states as well. The Buckeye Institute’s Dr. James Woodward notes, “Allowing care providers to practice across state lines in Ohio was a temporary rule change brought on by the pandemic. But making these changes permanent would provide patients with more treatment options and make it easier for them to see the best doctor for their situation.”
In addition to improving patient access, the PA compact will provide meaningful workforce development opportunities. The outlook for PAs is extremely strong. With a median salary of $121,000 and an unemployment rate of just 1.2 percent, PAs are among the highest rated professions in the medical field.
OTHER RESOURCES
Access to Healthcare Made Easier, Promoting Best Practices in Ohio’s Telehealth Policy https://www.buckeyeinstitute.org/library/docLib/2020-09-23-New-Buckeye-Institute-Report-Outlines-Benefits-of-Telehealth-Urges-Ohio-Policymakers-to-Permanently-Expand-Access-policy-report.pdf This paper by The Buckeye Institute’s James Woodward, Ph.D. examines how telehealth can grow out of its turbulent pandemic baptism and into a reliable method of delivering care.
Out-of-state doctors apply for Ohio Licensure on law’s first day https://www.thecentersquare.com/ohio/article_6981b0ec-134d-11ed-ba7f-67777bad7ded J.D. Davidson from The Center Square looks at Sen. Roegner’s 2022 bill to create an interstate physician licensing compact.
Nothing in this Research & Commentary is intended to influence the passage of legislation, and it does not necessarily represent the views of The Heartland Institute. For further information on this and other topics, visit the Budget & Tax News website, The Heartland Institute’s website, and PolicyBot, Heartland’s free online research database.
