Putting state legislative issues in context.

Abstract

Dramatic changes in the past decade have occurred in the areas of delegated prescriptive authority for physician assistants (PAs), determination of scope of practice, relations with organized medicine, and participation by PAs in regulation of the profession. As PAs continue in their role of extending care to underserved populations, state legislation and regulations may have to be modified to optimize PA utilization in mental and behavioral health, chronic disease management, and occupational health.