Oregon Society of PAs supports Senate Bill 536 to expand medical examiner roles

The House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care convened on April 22, 2025, to discuss key legislative matters, including Senate Bill 536, which aims to expand the role of physician associates (PAs) and nurse practitioners in Oregon's medical examiner system.

Lisa Hayes, a physician associate and acting chair of the government affairs committee for the Oregon Society of PAs, presented her support for Senate Bill 536. She emphasized the importance of PAs as licensed clinicians who are rigorously trained and dedicated to expanding access to healthcare. Hayes highlighted that the bill seeks to remove arbitrary barriers that currently limit the use of PAs in critical medical roles.

Senate Bill 536 proposes to expand the definition of who can serve as a medical examiner in Oregon, allowing PAs and nurse practitioners to fill these positions. This change is crucial in addressing the growing caseloads faced by medical examiners, particularly following the recommendations from a survey conducted by the Oregon State Police and the medical examiner's improvement work group. The report indicated that Oregon's medical examiner system is at a tipping point, necessitating an increase in medically trained personnel to manage the workload effectively.

Hayes pointed out that the inclusion of PAs as eligible medical examiners is especially vital for rural communities, where there is often a shortage of local physicians willing to take on these roles. PAs are already prevalent in these areas, making them well-suited to help alleviate the burden on the medical examiner system.

The Oregon Society of PAs expressed strong support for the bill and is actively collaborating with stakeholders to address a request for a technical amendment regarding the American Board of Pathology. Hayes concluded by reiterating the readiness of PAs to contribute to the medical examiner system, emphasizing the need for legislative action to enhance healthcare delivery in Oregon.

The committee's discussions reflect a significant step towards improving the state's medical examiner capacity and addressing the healthcare needs of its communities, particularly in rural areas. Further developments on Senate Bill 536 are anticipated as the legislative session progresses.