Lawmakers weigh transfer of physician‑assistant oversight to Guam medical board amid split views

The Guam Legislature’s Committee on Health held a public hearing on Bill 1‑23, which would transfer licensing and regulatory authority for physician assistants from the Guam Board of Allied Health Examiners to the Guam Board of Medical Examiners.

Sponsor remarks and rationale

Senator Turlahi, who introduced Bill 1‑23, told the committee the measure seeks to modernize Guam’s health‑care regulatory framework by placing physician assistants (PAs) under the medical board, aligning Guam with the majority of U.S. states. “By following the majority approach, Guam ensures alignment with best practices and medical regulation,” the senator said, describing the bill’s intent to formalize collaborative practice agreements and clarify application, registration and rulemaking authority.

Support from PAs and public‑health staff

Ed Stanley, a physician assistant who said he has practiced on Guam for 23 years, told the committee the change is broadly supported by PAs on island. “I think this is definitely a step in the right direction,” Stanley said. He urged the committee to leave technical items about prescriptive scope to rules and regulations rather than the statute and suggested the bill could recognize evolving national professional titles…