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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-05-06

Vote Breakdown

Plain Language Summary

This bill allows physician assistants (PAs) with significant experience to practice in team-based settings (like hospitals and clinics) without direct physician supervision, while maintaining some oversight for certain procedures. It also transfers regulation of nurse practitioners and nurse midwives from a joint Medical Board-Nursing Board subcommittee to the Board of Nursing alone, and increases physician assistant representation on the Medical Board from one to two members.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill addresses healthcare workforce shortages by expanding PA independence in established team settings where quality oversight already exists, potentially improving patient access to care.
• •They contend that experienced PAs (4,000+ hours) with specialty training don't need individual physician supervision when working in credentialed facilities with quality programs, reducing administrative burden.
• •Transferring nurse practitioner and nurse midwife regulation to the Board of Nursing streamlines decision-making for these nursing professions, and adding another PA to the Medical Board gives PAs greater voice in their own regulation.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents worry this bill reduces physician oversight of PAs in ways that could compromise patient safety, especially since team-based supervision is determined by employers rather than mandated directly.
• •They argue removing the Medical Board from nurse practitioner and midwife regulation eliminates physician input on decisions affecting patient care and creates fragmented oversight between physicians and nurses.
• •Some may be concerned that weakened supervision requirements could lead to inconsistent standards of care across different team-based settings.