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WAPA Legislative Update - August
8/24/2011
By Clark Collins
, PA-C, MPAS
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Last month, the Physician Assistant Council (see below), led by Anne Hletko, PA-C, went before the State of Wisconsin Medical Examining Board (MEB) to recommend a Chapter Med 8 change in the MD to PA ratio, going from 1:2 to 1:5. Although the WAPA Legislative and Governmental Affairs (LGA) Committee support the ratio to be determined at the practice level, a compromise was reached to go to the MEB with the recommendation of a 1:5 ratio after discussions with Wisconsin Medical Society and the Wisconsin Hospital Association, who supported a specific ratio number in Med 8. The MEB discussed the proposal, but did not approve the change...yet. The MEB appointed two of its members to gather more information about the proposal, and the MEB will likely take the matter up again later this fall. WAPA LGA committee has been in contact with the PA Council and the MEB about this issue, and will continue to provide information to the MEB in hopes of bringing about a ratio change.
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Last spring, the WIAA voted to allow PAs to sign the athletic permit card without requiring a physician co signature upon performing a sports physical. Although this change has been approved, an updated athletic permit card is not yet available. I have contacted the WIAA about the timing of a new card that reflects this policy change, but I was given no specifics about when it will be available. Keep watching for it -- a new WIAA card should be coming soon.
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With state Senate recall elections now complete, the LGA committee will again focus its efforts on finding a sponsor and co-sponsors for our bill (named SB 698 in the 2009-2010 legislative session). It is yet to be seen what progress can be made with this issue given the turbulent political climate in Madison this year, but the LGA committee will do all we can to move this initiative forward this fall.
What is the Physician Assistant Council?
The PA Council is an advisory committee to the MEB on issues related to PAs. It is made up of PA members and a public member. They currently meet once a year and all appointees serve a two year term. Any PA in Wisconsin can apply to be on the PA Council, but applicants who are elected board members of any organization that represents, promotes or furthers the interest of the PA profession will not be considered. More information and an application can be obtained from the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing. New appointments to the PA Council are generally made in June or July by the MEB. Current PA Council member are:
Anne Hletko, PA-C, chairperson
Jerry Noack, PA
Michael Tonne, PA-C
Jody Wilkins, PA-C
Mary Pangman Schmitt
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