HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 942

BYRepresentatives 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 REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE FEBRUARY 27, 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:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  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.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The term is specified consistent with other members, and the level of regulation is corrected from licensure to registration.

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.