Moderator ventana Posted June 23, 2020 Moderator Share Posted June 23, 2020 Please call your State Senator TODAY! The Massachusetts State Senate has just released S.2769, An Act putting patients first. The legislation includes aspects of telemedicine and makes key changes to some healthcare professions – notably granting independent practice authority to Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Anesthetists, and Psychiatric Nurse Mental Health Specialists. The press release issued by the Senate notes that it is meant to codify some of the Emergency Executive Orders put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to make permanent changes that have proved beneficial to patient care and access. A March 2020 Emergency Order removed the requirement that PAs file a supervising physician with the Commonwealth and this has proven very successful in giving hospitals and healthcare institutions increased flexibility and autonomy in how they have leveraged PAs throughout this pandemic. However, PAs are notably MISSING from this legislation and we must ensure that we are included as a valued member of the Massachusetts healthcare landscape. Therefore, we are asking now for your help in securing passage of the below Amendment #33: Amendment 33 to S.2769, Removing Barriers to Care for Physician Assistants, proposed by Senator Harriette Chandler. This amendment would change the current statute governing physician assistant practice by removing the state requirement that a PA practice under a supervising physician. And NOW We Need Your HELP! We want to ensure that as many Senators as possible sign on to Amendment #33 to S 2769 as co-sponsors. The deadline for co-sponsorship is Thursday, June 25th when the bill is taken up on the Senate floor during the formal session. Current Action Steps: We are asking you to make ONE call/email today: 1. To your current State Senator (You can find out who your state senator is by going to www.wheredoivotema.com, by calling (800) 462-VOTE, or by contacting our government affairs consultant Kathryn Jason via email at kjason@charlesgroupconsulting.com) Calling your State Senator: 2. Call your State Senator in the Massachusetts legislature (listed on www.wheredoivotema.com as “State Senator”). It is also fine to speak with an aide. Ask to speak to an aide who is dealing with bills related to health care. 3. What to say: a. I am calling on behalf of the Massachusetts Association of Physician Assistants (MAPA). As a Physician Assistant (PA), and your constituent, I am asking you to sign onto Amendment #33 to S.2769, which is extremely important to me and my profession. 4. Please co-sponsor Amendment #33 filed by Senator Harriette Chandler. This amendment would change the current statute governing physician assistant practice by removing the state requirement that a PA practice under a supervising physician. 5. This change makes permanent aspects of a March 2020 Executive Order issued by DPH which has proven very successful in the 3 months since its issuance. 6. Thank them for their time. If they have any questions, and you are unsure of the answer, simply say you do not know but will call them back. Please contact our government affairs consultant Kathryn Jason at kjason@charlesgroupconsulting.com to help you get the answer. THANK YOU for your support of MAPA and your profession! Want to support MAPA and its mission? Become a Member Catch up with MAPA on Social Media! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iconic Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 Ofc PAs have been left out once again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rookiejay Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 I will I promise. I sent your post to PAVMT https://www.pavmt.org/home I just joined. Dont give up! I cant work with the public due to my preexisting health problems. I really need and want a telemedicine job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSPAC2 Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 Yes! Go get `em MA PAs! Sent this to my alma mater and current practicing friends in MA. I wish you all the best. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicalChallenge11 Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 Recent grad in MA here - I'm pretty confused by this proposition. Is advocating for the removal of the requirement that a PA practice under a SP equivalent to advocating for independent practice? Is this supposed to be a temporary measure during the pandemic or a permanent change going forward? Personally I'm opposed to NPs pursuing independent practice for a number of reasons, and I'm under the impression that many/most PAs are opposed to seeking independent practice for ourselves. It's my understanding that most docs are opposed to independent practice as well. I do recognize that some PAs have suggested that they only support independent practice for PAs in order to maintain equivalency/relevancy in the midst of NP independent practice. I guess my questions are 1) see above, 2) what do PAs have to gain from pursuing independent practice (particularly in MA if anyone can comment)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator ventana Posted June 24, 2020 Author Moderator Share Posted June 24, 2020 Follow In My Legislature Legislator Photo First Name Last Name District Party Room Phone Number Email Address Michael Barrett Third Middlesex Democrat 109-D (617) 722-1572 Mike.Barrett@masenate.gov Joseph Boncore First Suffolk and Middlesex Democrat 112 (617) 722-1634 Joseph.Boncore@masenate.gov Michael Brady Second Plymouth and Bristol Democrat 416-A (617) 722-1200 Michael.Brady@masenate.gov William Brownsberger Second Suffolk and Middlesex Democrat 319 (617) 722-1280 William.Brownsberger@masenate.gov Harriette Chandler First Worcester Democrat 333 (617) 722-1544 Harriette.Chandler@masenate.gov Sonia Chang-Diaz Second Suffolk Democrat 111 (617) 722-1673 Sonia.Chang-Diaz@masenate.gov Nick Collins First Suffolk Democrat 312-D (617) 722-1150 Nick.Collins@masenate.gov Joanne Comerford Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester Democrat 413-C (617) 722-1532 Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov Cynthia Creem First Middlesex and Norfolk Democrat 312-A (617) 722-1639 Cynthia.Creem@masenate.gov Brendan Crighton Third Essex Democrat 520 (617) 722-1350 brendan.crighton@masenate.gov Julian Cyr Cape and Islands Democrat 309 (617) 722-1570 julian.cyr@masenate.gov Sal DiDomenico Middlesex and Suffolk Democrat 405 (617) 722-1650 Sal.DiDomenico@masenate.gov Diana DiZoglio First Essex Democrat 416-B (617) 722-1604 Diana.DiZoglio@masenate.gov James Eldridge Middlesex and Worcester Democrat 511-C (617) 722-1120 James.Eldridge@masenate.gov Ryan Fattman Worcester and Norfolk Republican 213-A (617) 722-1420 Ryan.Fattman@masenate.gov Paul Feeney Bristol and Norfolk Democrat 215 (617) 722-1222 paul.feeney@masenate.gov Barry Finegold Second Essex and Middlesex Democrat 507 (617) 722-1612 Barry.Finegold@masenate.gov Cindy Friedman Fourth Middlesex Democrat 208 (617) 722-1432 Cindy.Friedman@masenate.gov Anne Gobi Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex Democrat 413-A (617) 722-1540 anne.gobi@masenate.gov Adam Hinds Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden Democrat 109-E (617) 722-1625 adam.hinds@masenate.gov Patricia Jehlen Second Middlesex Democrat 424 (617) 722-1578 Patricia.Jehlen@masenate.gov John Keenan Norfolk and Plymouth Democrat 413-F (617) 722-1494 John.Keenan@masenate.gov Edward Kennedy First Middlesex Democrat 513 (617) 722-1630 edward.kennedy@masenate.gov Eric Lesser First Hampden and Hampshire Democrat 410 (617) 722-1291 eric.lesser@masenate.gov Jason Lewis Fifth Middlesex Democrat 511-B (617) 722-1206 Jason.Lewis@masenate.gov Joan Lovely Second Essex Democrat 413-D (617) 722-1410 Joan.Lovely@masenate.gov Mark Montigny Second Bristol and Plymouth Democrat 312-C (617) 722-1440 Mark.Montigny@masenate.gov Michael Moore Second Worcester Democrat 109-B (617) 722-1485 Michael.Moore@masenate.gov Susan Moran Plymouth and Barnstable Democrat 506 (617) 722-1330 susan.moran@masenate.gov Patrick O'Connor Plymouth and Norfolk Republican 419 (617) 722-1646 Patrick.OConnor@masenate.gov Marc Pacheco First Plymouth and Bristol Democrat 312-B (617) 722-1551 Marc.Pacheco@masenate.gov Rebecca Rausch Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex Democrat 218 (617) 722-1555 Becca.Rausch@masenate.gov Michael Rodrigues First Bristol and Plymouth Democrat 212 (617) 722-1114 Michael.Rodrigues@masenate.gov Michael Rush Norfolk and Suffolk Democrat 109-C (617) 722-1348 Mike.Rush@masenate.gov Karen Spilka Second Middlesex and Norfolk Democrat 332 (617) 722-1500 Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov Bruce Tarr First Essex and Middlesex Republican 308 (617) 722-1600 Bruce.Tarr@masenate.gov Walter Timilty Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth Democrat 213-B (617) 722-1643 Walter.Timilty@masenate.gov Dean Tran Worcester and Middlesex Republican 504 (617) 722-1230 dean.tran@masenate.gov John Velis Second Hampden and Hampshire Democrat 70 (617) 722-1415 john.velis@masenate.gov James Welch Hampden Democrat 413-B (617) 722-1660 James.Welch@masenate.gov 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator ventana Posted June 24, 2020 Author Moderator Share Posted June 24, 2020 3 hours ago, LogicalChallenge11 said: Recent grad in MA here - I'm pretty confused by this proposition. Is advocating for the removal of the requirement that a PA practice under a SP equivalent to advocating for independent practice? Is this supposed to be a temporary measure during the pandemic or a permanent change going forward? Personally I'm opposed to NPs pursuing independent practice for a number of reasons, and I'm under the impression that many/most PAs are opposed to seeking independent practice for ourselves. It's my understanding that most docs are opposed to independent practice as well. I do recognize that some PAs have suggested that they only support independent practice for PAs in order to maintain equivalency/relevancy in the midst of NP independent practice. I guess my questions are 1) see above, 2) what do PAs have to gain from pursuing independent practice (particularly in MA if anyone can comment)? I would strongly encourage you to read the reams and reams of posts and discussion on this board There is litterlally 1000's of reasons that we need to (Must) get out from underneath the physician. We are the ONLY profession which is totally controlled by another profession We are valuable highly trained members of the health care team We are held back from caring for our patients by outdated regulations We can not bill we can not manage our patients with out a Doc We can not own a practice with out a doc The list just goes on and on and on..... You have admitted you are new to the profession, and this is great to have new blood coming in and I applaud you for asking questions like you have. How about other offering some ways the "supervision" has hampered their career (I have lose 2 jobs for being correct when the doc was wrong (like dead wrong)) I was politically correct in pointing out their shortcomings and yet the Doc stayed and I left.... both times on my choice to not jeopardize my license 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rookiejay Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 4 hours ago, LogicalChallenge11 said: Recent grad in MA here - I'm pretty confused by this proposition. Is advocating for the removal of the requirement that a PA practice under a SP equivalent to advocating for independent practice? Is this supposed to be a temporary measure during the pandemic or a permanent change going forward? Personally I'm opposed to NPs pursuing independent practice for a number of reasons, and I'm under the impression that many/most PAs are opposed to seeking independent practice for ourselves. It's my understanding that most docs are opposed to independent practice as well. I do recognize that some PAs have suggested that they only support independent practice for PAs in order to maintain equivalency/relevancy in the midst of NP independent practice. I guess my questions are 1) see above, 2) what do PAs have to gain from pursuing independent practice (particularly in MA if anyone can comment)? Not here I have been doing this 26 yrs medicine almost 13 yrs as a PA , I am ready - set me free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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