It’s a years-long debate in the state of New York: What’s the best approach to closing the healthcare coverage gap in medical care deserts in both rural and urban areas?
“Our language was pulled out of the budget, which it historically is,” said Maureen Regan, president of the New York State Society of Physician Associates. “Our legislature likes policy to stay in the budget, and fiscal things not.”
As a stand-alone bill sponsored in both the state Senate and Assembly, the Physicians Assistant Modernization Act, if approved would allow physician assistants to practice without the supervision of a physician.
The proposal is sponsored by both the Assembly and state Senate health committee chairs, Amy Paulin and Gustavo Rivera.
“I think if we allowed physician assistants to practice at the top of their license, which a lot of states allow, we would improve access for everyone,” said Paulin.
In a statement to Spectrum News 1, Rivera said in part:
“This bill is important for increasing access to care by expanding physician assistant practice standards to allow those with over 6,000 practice hours to practice independently within a limited scope.”
Supporters say this proposal is part of the evolution that’s happening in healthcare.
“PAs right now are very, very autonomous in the way they practice,” said Regan. “There are PAs on the southern tier of New York state who are supporting healthcare in critical access hospitals 24-7, 365 in communities that cannot recruit or retain physicians. There is no physician there supervising the work they do.”
Critics say a physician led team leads to better patient care overall.
“In terms of access to care, in terms of outcome, in terms of quality, we need to stick to a formula that works rather than experiencing with something that we haven’t gotten ourselves into,” said Dr. Thomas Lee, executive vice president of the Medical Society of the State of New York.
As the state Legislature wraps up its legislative session, it’s unlikely that this proposal will be taken up that has supporters asking “why” since the state is dealing with a healthcare workforce shortage which they say is straining services.
When it comes to the shortage, critics say the issue that should be taken up is why doctors are leaving the state.
According to a recent WalletHub survey, New York ranks 51st in the United States and the District of Columbia for doctors to practice. Lee tells Spectrum News 1 “high liability premiums” and “high living expenses” play a part.
If the PA Modernization Act passed in New York, the Empire State would join Iowa, Utah, Montana, New Hampshire, Wyoming and North Dakota, according to Barton Associates, as states who have enacted similar measures.