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Sponsor seeks amendment to add physician assistants to medical board after negotiations
Summary
Representative said an amendment to House Bill 686 would place physician assistants on the Board of Medical Examiners; PA groups opposed the bill as written but said they would support the measure once the amendment is adopted.
Representative Jodie Echart opened discussion on an amendment to House Bill 686 intended to increase physician assistant representation on the Board of Medical Examiners. The sponsor said prior efforts to secure a single PA seat failed on the House floor and that the amendment under negotiation with the executive branch would place multiple PAs on the board.
Jennifer Hensley, representing the Montana Academy of Physician Assistants, testified in opposition to the bill as drafted but urged the committee to adopt the sponsor’s amendment, saying the change would give PAs an appropriate voice on rulemaking and disciplinary panels. Megan Zawacki, a practicing PA and past MTAPA president, said the amendment was an “elegant solution” to ensure adequate representation as the profession grows in Montana.
Department officials and legal counsel provided informational testimony about administrative oversight of licensing boards. The sponsor told the committee she expects the amendment would address most concerns and asked for the committee’s consideration.
