The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) is the national professional society for PAs (physician associates/physician assistants). It represents a profession of more than 178,700 PAs across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and the uniformed services. It was founded in 1968.

AAPA advocates and educates on behalf of the profession and the patients PAs serve. It works to ensure the professional growth, personal excellence and recognition of PAs. We also enhance their ability to improve the quality, accessibility and cost-effectiveness of patient-centered healthcare.

AAPA sent a second letter to the American Medical Association (AMA), after the AMA did not respond to the request for a meeting included in AAPA’s July 30th letter.

The follow-up continued to underscore AAPA’s intention to collaborate with the AMA on a better path forward and once again urged the AMA to put an end to its so-called “scope creep” campaign. However, the silence from the AMA and its continued spread of misinformation compels AAPA to respond on behalf of the PA profession.

The newest communication served as the release of an open letter with 8,000 PA signatures condemning the AMA’s misrepresentation of the PA profession. AAPA claims that the “AMA’s repeated blocking of legislation aimed at expanding access to care and creation of false narrative about the profession reflects a troubling disregard for the urgent needs of patients and the healthcare system. These efforts by the AMA hinder progress and undermine the value PAs bring to patient care. We urge the AMA to stop using divisive rhetoric and instead engage in a constructive dialogue with AAPA”

AAPA’s letter also included new survey results that illuminate the negative impacts of AMA’s campaign.

The results of the survey reflect the opinions of more than 4,900 PAs. The findings make it clear that this campaign is hurting the PA profession, PA relationships with patients, and the healthcare system at large.

Key findings of the survey shared with AMA include the following:

– – 96.0% say the campaign has had a negative impact on addressing healthcare workforce shortages.
– – 95.2% believe it has negatively impacted efforts to expand access to care for patients.
– – 90.4% of PAs report that the campaign has negatively impacted the healthcare system.
– – 81.0% report it has had a negative or very negative effect on their ability to provide care.
– – 81.7% reported a negative or very negative impact of the campaign on their relationships with patients.
– – 91.9% assert it has negatively impacted patients’ trust in the U.S. healthcare system.
– – 89.5% believe the AMA’s scope creep campaign has negatively impacted patients’ understanding of PA qualifications to provide care.

The AAPA further explains on its Stop Healthcare Obstruction page, that the AMA ” ‘scope creep’ campaign is an effort led by the AMA to restrict the roles and responsibilities of PAs and other healthcare providers. It claims that PAs are seeking to expand their scope of practice beyond their traditional roles, which the AMA says will compromise patient safety and disrupt established healthcare hierarchies.”

Physician assistant (PA) scope of practice laws vary throughout the United States.Generally, the physician assistant scope of practice in California is more restrictive for PAs than in other states.Gov. Newsom signed Senate Bill 697 (SB 697) in 2019. This bill relaxed chart review and physician signature requirements. It also allowed physicians to create practice agreements with their PAs, as opposed to service agreements. This grants more freedom and flexibility to both parties when providing medical care. Because of SB 697, California does not require on-site or in-person physician oversight. It redefines “supervision” to not require the physical presence of the physician. Although they should be available through electronic communication. PAs must have an active license in the state of California to practice.

The AMA’s main arguments against PA autonomy include:

– – The AMA contends that PAs lack the necessary training and experience to practice independently, and that their actions could pose a risk to patient safety.
– – The AMA believes that physicians should maintain ultimate control over patient care, and that PAs should be supervised by physicians at all times.
– – The AMA argues that PAs should adhere to the same standards of practice as physicians, and that they should be subject to the same oversight and disciplinary procedures.

The debate over the scope of practice of PAs has been ongoing for many years, and it is likely to continue for some time. The outcome of this debate will have significant implications for the future of healthcare in the United States.