Too often, our underserved communities get left behind. Since 2020, this has become painfully clear, especially when it comes to an essential part of life - access to healthcare. PAs (physician assistants) are often the main healthcare providers in underserved communities and supporting PAs is key to ensuring that people get the care they need.
Across America, states are working to change laws to reduce the strain on our hospitals and allow PAs to practice to the full extent of their education, training and experience in the areas that patients need them most. The main goals are:
- Gives healthcare teams and their employers the ability to decide how to best meet patients' needs, instead of being required to follow a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Allows PAs to partner with multiple healthcare providers based on the needs of the patient, not a piece of paper.
- Provides the flexibility for PAs to go where they are needed the most. States must be able to allow a PA to be redeployed to a different setting when appropriate, whether to a rural community for an extended period or moving from the ICU to the ER for a single shift.
- Increases transparency so patients know who they are paying and why. Patients deserve to have a clear picture of how their healthcare dollars are being spent.
