With the recent Texas House of Representatives passage of HB 2544, the Lone Star State is on its way toward becoming the next state to adopt the PA Licensure Compact! On April 26, the House passed the legislation by a vote of 135-11.

Sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth Campos, HB 2544 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.

Texas Academy of Physician Assistants (TAPA) President Ryan English, PA-C, said the PA Compact will greatly benefit Texas’ healthcare system, clinics, and most importantly patients.

“The PA Licensure Compact will benefit our patients, small clinics and large healthcare systems by reducing the administrative barriers and creating a legally binding framework to recognize a valid, unencumbered PA license in participating compact states,” English said. “TAPA extends our gratitude to the House for passing HB 2544, and we urge the Senate to quickly follow their lead.”

TAPA President-Elect Janith Mills, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA  underscored how the PA Licensure Compact will also provide support for military families.

“The compact will alleviate burdens for military families by allowing active-duty military personnel and their spouse to obtain a Compact Privilege based on having an unrestricted license in good standing from a participating state,” Mills said, noting that the Department of Defense, is a supporter of a PA licensure compact to ease the burden on military families.

The bill will head to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee next under the sponsorship of Sen. Angela Paxton.

AAPA announced the release of the PA Licensure Compact model legislation in November 2022, ahead of the 2023 legislative session. In order for the compact to become active, seven states need to adopt the compact language through legislation. When this occurs, a commission will be established to set up essential processes and administer the new compact.

The PA Licensure Compact will make it easier for PAs to practice in multiple states. PAs holding a valid, unencumbered license in one compact state will be able to apply for a “compact privilege” to practice in other compact states. A compact privilege will provide authorization to practice as a PA under that state’s laws and regulations.

In March, Utah became the first state to adopt the compact. Several other states are working diligently on PA Licensure Compact bills for the 2023 legislative session as well. Minnesota, Ohio, and Rhode Island Texas have each introduced bills to adopt the compact in their respective states.

Further information on the PA Licensure Compact, model legislation, and other compact resources may be accessed at pacompact.org.

You may also reach out to advocacy@aapa.org with additional questions.

Disclaimer: The article you are currently reading was originally posted on the AAPA website. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the original author and/or publisher and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of AAPA. The article has been reproduced here for informational purposes only. If you would like to view the original article, please visit https://www.aapa.org/news-central/2023/05/pa-licensure-compact-bill-passes-texas-house-of-representatives/.

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.

These efforts could not have happened without the work by TAPA's Legislative Affairs Committee (LAC) and the TAPA PAC. The TAPA PAC plays a vital role in supporting candidates and lawmakers who champion the PA profession during the election cycle. By being a member of TAPA, your membership dollars have fueled the LAC's efforts to ensure high-quality patient care and promote the value of PAs during the legislative session. 

Read on to discover how TAPA is making a difference and providing value to your membership!

PAs Celebrate Victory at the Capitol

Thanks to TAPA's collaboration with AAPA, NCCPA, the bill author, and our lobby team, we successfully worked together to address concerns around HB 2551 (Shaheen), specifically around the integrity of PA Licensure. Due to these efforts, this bill was removed from the hearing docket this week.

Tracking & Influencing Legislation

TAPA is committed to protecting your interests and maintaining the high standards of patient care provided by PAs. We're currently tracking 56 bills that could impact the PA profession and have submitted formal stances on several crucial bills. Our advocacy efforts include opposing SB 1193, supporting HB 112, HB 454, and HB 4300 to promote PAs' rights and well-being in the workplace.

Advancing Key TAPA Legislative Priorities

TAPA is taking a proactive role in driving positive change for the PA profession and ensuring you can deliver high-quality care. We're actively sponsoring four critical legislative initiatives to bolster the PA practice in Texas and are pleased to provide updates on their progress:

• HB 1190 (Klick) - Expanding Schedule II Prescriptive Authority for PAs: Currently pending in committee; TAPA will engage with lawmakers to emphasize PAs' responsible role in opioid prescription management. We will continue to advocate for the PA profession.
• HB 2544 (Campos) - PA Interstate License Compact: this bill is in the calendars committee awaiting a hearing in the house. TAPA is preparing testimony, organizing a grassroots campaign, and getting ready for the Senate hearing once the bill passes out of the House.
• HB 2882 (Cortez) - PA Practice Management Bill: Anticipated to have hearings in the coming weeks, with bill teams preparing for testimony and Calls to Action to support progress.
• HB 4028 (Plesa) - Modernization of the Texas PA Board: Also expected to have hearings in the coming weeks, with bill teams preparing for testimony and Calls to Action to support progress.

Your Involvement Matters

The bill is currently in the House Calendars committee Awaiting approval before heading to the House Floor. TAPA's lobbying team is engaging with the calendars committee to advocate for a hearing in the near future. If you so choose, we encourage you to send an email to the members of the House Calendars Committee asking them to schedule HB 2544 for a hearing. 

Your membership and involvement are crucial to TAPA's success. If you haven't already done so, by joining TAPA, you'll be part of a community dedicated to promoting the PA profession and ensuring the best possible patient care for Texans. Your support helps us to:

• Advocate for PAs' rights and professional growthProvide valuable resources, networking opportunities, and continuing education.
• Strengthen our collective voice and positively impact healthcare in Texas.
• Don't miss out on the opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of the PA profession in our state. Join TAPA today and consider donating to our PAC to further our mission!

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

An earlier version of this newsletter incorrectly stated that HB 2544 (Campos) was set for a hearing in the Texas House chambers this week. We regret to inform you that this information was inaccurate.

We would like to inform you that HB 2544 (Campos), the PA Interstate Licensure Compact, will be heard in the House Public Health Committee on Monday, March 27, 2023. This bill aims to allow Texas to join the PA Interstate License Compact, enabling PAs to practice in participating compact states without obtaining additional licenses.

This initiative will reduce administrative burdens, decrease costs, and increase access to high-quality healthcare services for Texans. Importantly, the compact will not impact the scope of practice or supervision requirements for a Texas PA; it is solely an authorization to practice from a licensure aspect. 

TAPA will be present at the hearing next Monday to give testimony in person; however, if you would like, you are able to submit testimony online for any item on the Public Health Committee's Agenda. Your input can help make a difference in the progression of this bill and improve healthcare access for Texans. You can also tune in live to watch the testimony via the House's website. 

For more information about the PA Licensure Compact, its benefits, and related resources, please refer to TAPA's Advocacy Central

With the 88th Legislative Session in full swing, TAPA has been preparing our advocacy efforts and grassroots initiatives to ensure you are positioned to provide the best advocacy for your profession, patients, and practice. TAPA offers several tools to aid PAs in their efforts to be heard when healthcare policy is being formed in Austin.

TEXAS ADVOCACY CENTRAL 

TAPA launched our very own Advocacy Central website to put the information you need right at your finger tips! 

• How to find your legislator
• Overview of TAPA’s legislative priorities
• Brief background on each of the legislative priorities

TAPA Members have exclusive access to:

• Weekly Bill Tracker of each bill that includes or effects PAs in the state of Texas
• TAPA-branded one pagers including background, rationale, previous bill links, states with similar laws
• Capitol newsletter
• Complete listing of legislators and their contact information

TEXAS ADVOCACY CENTRAL

GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY NETWORK

Join TAPA’s Grassroots Advocacy Network to be the first to know about how TAPA is working to protect and advance PA practice in Texas. All PAs are welcome to join and as a member of GAN you have access to a discounted TAPA membership.

JOIN TAPA's GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY NETWORK

UPDATED MEMBER FAQs

TAPA members have exclusive access to FAQs

TAPA strives to be a source for information about PA practice and advocacy in Texas! We've compiled and updated 27 frequently asked questions into 13 different categories complete with sources where you can research each topic further. If there is a question that you have that is not listed in our FAQs, reach out to the TAPA Staff and they will connect with our General Council to try and find the answer for you! 

ACCESS FAQS

PA DAY AT THE TEXAS CAPITOL

PA Day at the Texas Capitol is back in-person for the first time since 2019

The biannual event coinciding with the Texas Legislature is a cornerstone of the TAPA's advocacy efforts. During this event, Texas PAs have an opportunity to meet with Texas' Legislators to discuss TAPA's Legislative Agenda and to advocate for your profession.

The cost to attend this event is only $75 for Texas PAs and $35 for Texas PA Students. Follow the button below for more information and to register! The hotel block has limited availability and closes on Thursday, January 19th!

REGISTER NOW

MEET YOUR TAPA LEGISLATIVE TEAM

Monica Ward, MPAS, AT, PA-C, DFPAA 2022-2023 Legislative Chair

Katie DeLucia, MPAS, PA-C 2022-2023 Legislative Vice Chair

Honorable Leticia Van de Putte Lobbyist

Honorable Jim Keffer Lobbyist

Kevin Stewart Regulatory Council