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Committee advances bill to expand physician assistants’ ability to practice in defined settings
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Summary
The committee reported SB 89 out of committee after testimony from PA clinicians that the bill balances physician‑led teams with reduced administrative burden by allowing PAs to practice without collaborative agreements at specified facilities; the motion to report passed without objection.
The House Labor and Commerce Committee reported SB 89 out of committee on April 1 following a second hearing. Mackenzie Pope, staff to Senator Tobin, summarized the bill’s core change: allow physician assistants to practice without a collaborative agreement if they work at defined sites such as Department of Health‑licensed facilities, federally qualified health centers, tribal facilities, military and VA facilities, or rural health clinics.
Candace Hickle, a physician assistant in Anchorage, testified in support, saying the revised version strikes a balance between stakeholder concerns and improved access. “The bill strikes the balance for involved stakeholders and supports modernization towards better access to excellent health care in Alaska,” Hickle said, noting collaborative agreements can be a barrier in rural settings and that provisions preserve physician‑led care teams.
Committee action: Co‑chair Fields moved to report SB 89 out of committee with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes; there were no objections and the motion carried. The bill now advances with the committee’s report.
Next steps: The committee had set an earlier amendment deadline (no amendments were filed before the prior deadline) and the bill was reported out of committee with the stated recommendations and fiscal notes.
