LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – A bill in Michigan’s House of Representatives would expand licensure for Physician Assistants (PAs) to allow them to practice in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ohio.
House Bill 4309 would amend Michigan’s Public Health Code to enter the state into the PA Licensure Compact, which allows PAs to practice in states that have joined the compact without having to be licensed in each individual state. A compact is like a contract between states that they enter into by enacting its provisions as law. So far, 13 states have passed legislation to join the compact, and two others have bills in process.
On Tuesday, PAs from around the state gathered in Lansing to celebrate the bill and emphasize its importance. One of the bills’ authors, Representative Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River), discussed the legislation last week in Iron Mountain. He said the bill would improve access and quality of care for so many people across the Upper Peninsula.
“Instead of handing off to another provider in another state, the caregiver is going to be allowed to stay with the patient as a paramedic that practiced in two states,” Prestin said. “That continuity of care, especially for patient outcomes, is critical to their success.”
The bill is set to have a hearing in Committee Wednesday morning.
