SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6070

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 11, 1992

Brief Description:  Authorizing alternative supervisors for physician's assistants.

SPONSORS: Senators Amondson and Snyder

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG‑TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

      Signed by Senators West, Chairman; L. Smith, Vice Chairman; Amondson, M. Kreidler, and Niemi.

Staff:  Martin Lovinger (786‑7443)

Hearing Dates: January 28, 1992; January 30, 1992

BACKGROUND:

Under current law an osteopathic physician's assistant is limited in practice to performing services for which he or she has been trained and only under the supervision and control of an osteopathic physician licensed in this state.  Although the supervision and control must be exercised by one osteopathic physician, the supervisor does not have to be personally present where the assistant is providing services.

A physician's assistant is limited in the same way and must be supervised by one physician licensed in this state who does not necessarily have to be physically present when services are provided.

It is felt that there are circumstances, such as where a physician owns or operates more than one clinic, under which it would be better to allow the authorization of alternative supervisors for physicians' or osteopathic physicians' assistants.

SUMMARY:

The Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery may authorize for osteopathic physicians' assistants the use of alternative supervisors who are licensed either as osteopathic physicians or as physicians.

The Board of Medical Examiners may authorize for physicians' assistants the use of alternative supervisors who are licensed either as osteopathic physicians or as physicians.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The training of the assistants is uniform already.  This bill addresses a particularly serious problem for underserved and rural areas that rely on physicians' assistants for the provision of much of their health care.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Sherman Cox, Department of Health; Jeff Larsen, Washington Osteopathic Medical Association and Washington Academy of Physicians' Assistants