Dear Massachusetts Physician Assistant:

            Senate bill 2863, “An Act to Promote Cost Containment, Transparency, and Efficiency in the Delivery of Health Care,” originally filed by the Senate President to move Massachusetts into the next phase of health reform by curbing heath care costs and improving the overall quality of the state’s health care system, was signed by Governor Patrick August 10, 2008.

            The Massachusetts Association of Physician Assistants (MAPA) was successful in incorporating language into the bill that increases the ratio of physician assistants per supervising physician from 2:1 to 4:1.  Because an emergency preamble was attached to the legislation, the change will went into effect as soon as Governor Patrick signed it into law this past August 10th.  Increasing the ratio to allow one physician to supervise up to four PAs at any one time will improve the ability of physician-PA teams to be available to deliver efficient, high-quality care. This change does not require that physicians supervise more than 2 PAs at any one time; it gives them the option of doing so in situations where it is clinically appropriate.  AAPA describes this change in law as, “A key upgrade in the regulation of the physician assistant profession in Massachusetts.”

            MAPA had also pushed for language in the House’s version of the bill that would have required insurance companies to include and cover physician assistants as participating providers.  Unfortunately, this language was not included in the final bill.  MAPA was told that while legislators are interested in making this change, there was a belief that this particular bill was not the appropriate vehicle.  The MAPA legislative team will continue working to assure reimbursement for services provided by PAs.

            We want to thank all of you who helped us achieve a significant legislative victory this year, and for setting the stage for additional victories and increased awareness about our profession with policy makers on Beacon Hill.