The Connecticut Academy of PAs has a very active Legislative Committee. Over the decades, this committee has worked hard to ensure that PAs have the ability to provide unencumbered access to care for the patients of Connecticut.
- The Legislative Committee is led by ConnAPA members that volunteer their time to:
- Hear member concerns about practice issues they are encountering
- Identify statutory issues that inhibit patient access to care or burden PAs and their practices administratively
- Create solutions to noted problems
- Work with stakeholders to identify problems and solutions
- Act as a resource to members for questions they may have
The Legislative Committee is supported by the Kowalski Group, the hired lobbying firm working on behalf of ConnAPA members. Year round they maintain a presence at the Capitol, ensuring that PAs are included in conversations and are appropriately represented. They work in coordination with the Legislative Committee to achieve the goals set each year, while handling any issues that arise during the legislative sessions.
A sampling of advocacy achievements:
2022
Public Act 22-103 which allows PAs to certify conditions eligible for Connecticut’s Medical Cannabis Program.
Public Act 22-58 which ensures PA inclusion in the ability to supervise medical assistants in the administration of immunizations.
Public Act 22-19 allows PAs to now have the ability to provide both medication and aspiration abortions.
2021
Public Act 21-196 which adds PAs to 77 areas of statute that did not already include PAs
Public Act 21-121 which among other technical changes, now allows PAs to order home health and hospice services
2019
Public Act 19-144 which changes the “dependent” relationship with physicians to a “collaborative” one
Participation in the scope of practice review regarding changes to PA statutes that would eliminate administrative burden and increase access to care
2018
Public Act 18-168 which removes the previous 6:1 physician to PA supervision ratio
2017
Public Act 17-146 creates a statutory work group to investigate the workforce shortage on mental health providers, the work group is stipulated to have a participating PA who practices psychiatry
Public Act 17-234 allows PAs to issue orders for phlebotomists to administer IV saline flushes
2016
Participation in the scope of practice review regarding a definition of “surgery” resulted in no introduction of a bill to define the term, protecting the ability for PAs to continue to practice to the fullest extent of the training and education
2015
Public Act 15-88 which ensures that PAs are included as a “Telehealth provider”
2014
Public Act 14-119 which ensures that PAs can continue to operate medical spas
Public Act 14-231 which removes the requirement for a supervising physician and associated information to be printed on prescriptions written by PAs
2012
Public Act 12-37 which created a delegation agreement concept for PAs and eliminated a set schedule of face to face meetings with supervising physicians, allowing for flexibility at the practice level
2010
Public Act 10-117 which specifies that nurses shall execute the orders of PAs
2009
Public Act 09-232 which allows the use of fluoroscopy by PAs
2008
Public Act 08-184 which ensures the ability for PAs to prescribe durable medical equipment
2007
Public Act 07-252 which establishes title protection for PAs
2003
Public Act 03-158 which allows PAs to be shareholders in a corporation
1995
Public Act 95-74 which establishes a mandate for insurance providers to cover all services provided by PAs
1990
Public Act 90-211 which established licensure for PAs in Connecticut and the ability for PAs to prescribe medications, including controlled substances.
1989
Public Act 89-389 which authorizes a study to investigate the feasibility of PA licensure in Connecticut.