TAPA's Key Legislative Priorities Advance at the Texas Capitol

PAs WIN BIG THIS WEEK AT THE CAPITOL

In this edition of "Under the Dome," we're bringing you the latest updates on the bills we're tracking and our priority bills. With so much happening in Austin, it can be tough to keep track of everything. As a TAPA member, you have a front-row seat to all the action and a vital role to play in shaping the future of the PA profession in Texas. So keep reading to stay informed and discover how you can make a real difference for PAs and their patients across the state.

Advancing Key TAPA Legislative Priorities
TAPA is leading the charge to drive positive change for the PA profession and ensure you can provide the best possible care to your patients. That's why we're proud to sponsor four key legislative initiatives to strengthen and advance the PA practice in Texas.

PA Interstate License Compact: HB 2544 (Campos)
After much anticipation, HB 2544 has passed the Texas House with a total of 135 yeas and 11 nays. We're thrilled to see this bill gaining momentum and advancing towards becoming law.

The next step is the Senate, where it has a strong sponsor in Sen. Angela Paxton and has already been assigned to the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services. The bill team is gearing up to provide testimony and continue advocating for this critical legislation.

Expanding Schedule II Prescriptive Authority for PAs: HB 1190 (Klick) 
The committee substitute we mentioned last week was the key for this bill to be favorably voted out of the House Public Health Committee! Now, we await scheduling for floor readings and votes by the House Calendars Committee. We are hopeful this passes out of the House before the May 19th deadline.

PA Practice Management: HB 2882 (Cortez)
Texas PAs showed up this week at the Capitol to support this legislation. There were 4 PAs who attended Monday's hearing to advocate for the profession. There was opposition from Texas 400 and some of the members of the Public Health Committee about PAs supervising physicians.

Rep. Cortez has introduced a committee substitute reiterating that "PAs may not participate in decisions relating to the employment of a physician." We are hopeful that this new language will be agreeable and HB 2882 will pass out of Committee. 

Modernization of the Texas PA Board: HB 4028 (Plesa)
TAPA continues to await a hearing on this bill. 

Your Involvement Matters

The progress we've made on HB 2544 and HB 1190 is encouraging, and we're grateful for the support of our members in advancing these critical initiatives.

However, we're also facing significant opposition from well-funded groups who are actively working against us. It's more important than ever that we band together and make our voices heard.

Your involvement and financial support are crucial to our success in combatting this misinformation and advancing the PA profession in Texas. So please, consider donating to the TAPA PAC and join us in making a meaningful difference for the PA profession.

Thank you for your continued support of TAPA and our advocacy work.