AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS

SB 2572 permits physician assistants (PAs) to practice without a physician's direct supervision and allows them to receive direct Medicaid payments for services. The bill removes the requirement for PAs to have a written agreement or direct oversight from a physician, enabling them to provide medical care collaboratively within their training. It also increases the number of PAs on the licensing board from three to five and requires the Department of Human Services to update regulations for direct Medicaid payments to PAs. This changes existing practice rules without creating new medical services.