We are excited to welcome you to our latest "Under the Dome" Newsletter.

As we move through the 88th Legislative Session, we wanted to share an update on the progress made on TAPA's Legislative Priorities. The entire legislative team has been working tirelessly to advance legislation and advocating for laws that positively impact the lives of our patients and make Texas a great place to be a PA!

We look forward to continuing our work together and achieving meaningful change in the legislative session ahead.

Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to our shared mission.

Sincerely,

Monica Ward & Katie DeLucia

TAPA LAC Chair & Vice Chair

TAPA has secured bill sponsors for our top four legislative priorities. Each of these bills have been filed with the Secretary of State; more information about each of the bills is below and on TAPA Advocacy Central webpage. 

Bill Number: HB1190 (Klick)
Bill Team Leads: Autumn Spencer, PA-C & Tatiana Emanuel, DMSc, PA-C 
Hearing in the house scheduled for 3/13/2023

This bill allows a physician to delegate the prescribing or ordering of a Schedule II medication in all healthcare settings to all PAs. HB1190 does not and will not impact the scope of practice for a PA. This leaves the decision-making at the practice level between the PA and their delegating physician. More Information >>

Bill Number: HB 2544 (Campos)
Bill Team Lead: Mercedes Dodge, MPAS, PA-C

Allows Texas to join the PA Interstate License Compact. The PA License Compact authorizes PAs to practice in participating compact states without obtaining additional licenses, thus reducing administrative burdens, decreasing costs, and increasing access to high-quality healthcare services for Texans. The compact does not and will not impact the scope of practice or supervision requirements for a Texas PA; this is merely an authorization to practice from a licensure aspect. More Information >>

Bill Number: HB 4028 (Plesa)
Bill Team Lead: Ryan English, PA-C, MPAS

Moves the Texas Physician Assistant Board from an advisory board of the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners to an independent, self-governed board utilizing the agency infrastructure of the Texas Medical Board. This does not expand the scope of practice of a PA. PAs are not seeking independent practice; instead, PAs are pursuing professional parity in how PA practice is governed and regulated in Texas. More Information >>

Bill Number: HB 2882 (Cortez)
Bill Team Lead: Eva Montes, MCG, MPAS, PA-C

Allows PAs to be officers and participants in the business operations and management of the medical practices where they have a minority ownership stake. This bill does not change that PAs can have minority ownership of a medical practice. This bill neither changes the way physicians practice medicine nor will it disrupt the established regulations for PA supervision. More Information >>

TAPA's PA Day was a resounding success! We had over 150 attendees who had a chance to network with other PAs, Legislators, and their staff. The event was a true testament to the strength and vibrancy of PAs!