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Senate approves Medicaid recognition of physician assistants as primary care providers
Summary
Senate Bill 100 passed unanimously (33-0) to allow Arkansas Medicaid to recognize licensed physician assistants as primary care providers. Sponsors said the change will expand access to care without expanding scope of practice.
Little Rock — The Arkansas State Senate on March 4 passed Senate Bill 100, which authorizes the Arkansas Medicaid program to recognize licensed physician assistants as primary care providers.
Sponsors explanation: Senator Jason Penzo, floor sponsor, said the bill supports three goals: improve access to health care, reduce costs, and provide options for Arkansas residents. "This bill ensures Arkansas Medicaid recognizes licensed physician assistants of the state," he said on the floor, adding the change would "leverage the cost effectiveness of physician assistants resulting in significant savings and improved health outcomes."
Scope and oversight: Senators questioned whether the change expands physician assistants scope of practice. Senator Carol Sullivan asked why Medicaid could not make the change administratively; Penzo and other supporters said the bill does not increase a physician assistants scope of practice and retains supervising-physician requirements in statute. Senator Irvin noted language on pages 252626 clarifies supervision and said the provision was a helpful addition.
Vote and next steps: The roll call recorded 33 yeas and 0 nays. Senate Bill 100 passed and will be transmitted to the House.
Quote: "This bill accomplishes all three [goals]... It will also leverage the cost effectiveness of physician assistants resulting in significant savings and improved health care outcomes for the state," said Senator Jason Penzo, the bills floor sponsor.
