HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 942

BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Cantwell, Moyer, Braddock, D. Sommers, Sprenkle, Ferguson, Schoon, Brooks, Lux, Beck, Bristow, Lewis, Day, Bumgarner, Jesernig, Padden and Miller)

Including a physician's assistant on the state board of medical examiners.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:     The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (9)

     Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Bristow, Brooks, Bumgarner, Cantwell, Lewis, D. Sommers and Sprenkle.

House Staff:John Welsh (786-7133)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 13, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Board of Medical Examiners is composed of six physicians and one public member appointed by the governor for the general purpose of examining applicants for licensure.  The board also conducts examinations for applicants for registration as physician assistants.  No licensed physician assistant currently sits as a member of the board.

SUMMARY:

A registered physician assistant is added to the Board of Medical Examiners as a member who can vote solely on matters directly related to physician assistants.  The initial, and subsequent, term is for five years.

Fiscal Note:    Requested February 6, 1987.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Shinobu Inoue, Washington Association of Physician's Assistants; Ruth Gallweg, Meddex Northwest and Mike Ryherd, Washington State Medical Association.

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     The Board of Medical Examiners currently examines applicants for registration as physician assistants and otherwise regulates their scope of practice.  It is only fitting that the board have a member who has an understanding of their qualifications and education.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.