Michigan Governor Signs Senate Bill 384

11/17/2011

2011-11-10

by Liz Roe, AAPA director of state advocacy and outreach

On Tuesday, November 8, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder held a signing ceremony for Senate Bill 384, the Michigan Patient Access to Care and Safety Initiative.

The new law, effective immediately upon Gov. Snyder’s signature, is the result of a 14-month advocacy initiative on the part of the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants, the Michigan State Medical Society, The Michigan Osteopathic Association, and state Sen. Jim Marleau.

SB 384 addresses barriers to effective physician-PA team practice in the following areas:

clarifies language to allow PAs to round on patients in public institutions including hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory care clinics and extended care facilities.
allows physicians to delegate to PAs the prescribing of schedule II medications in all settings.
permits physicians to delegate to PAs the ability to sign forms that typically require a physician’s signature (with the exception of death certificates).
allows PAs to order restraints for patients in licensed health facilities.

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