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Senate committee advances bill allowing nurse practitioners, physician assistants to serve as medical examiners
Summary
The Oregon Senate Committee on Health Care voted to forward Senate Bill 536, which would permit nurse practitioners and physician assistants to serve as medical examiners, citing workforce shortages; the measure was moved out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation.
The Senate Committee on Health Care voted to advance Senate Bill 536 on a due-pass recommendation after brief discussion, sending the measure to the full Senate.
The bill would allow nurse practitioners and physician's associates (physician assistants) to serve as medical examiners in Oregon. Committee staff told members the measure responds to a documented workforce shortage for medical examiners following a 2023 study requested by the committee. Mr. Dietz summarized: "this is one of several suggestions that were made in order to alleviate the workforce issue."
Senator Campos spoke in support, calling the change a response to workforce shortages and noting the clinicians "will still be working under the supervision of a physician in this case." Vice Chair Hayden moved the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The clerk recorded ayes from Senator Campos, Senator Lythmicompa, Senator Reynolds, Vice Chair Hayden and Chair Patterson; the motion passed.
No fiscal impact requiring a referral to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means was reported by staff during the work session. Committee members closed the work session and designated a senator to carry the bill to the floor.
The committee’s action does not itself change law; it advances the bill for consideration by the full Senate where further debate, amendments or fiscal review could occur.
