TAPA actively works to sponsor and promote regulatory and legislative changes that will enhance the physician assistant's ability to provide safe, cost-effective medical care and strengthen the physician-PA team concept to strengthen the practice of team-based health care in Texas. Some of our key policy issue areas of focus are outlined below.

Allows a physician to delegate the prescribing and ordering of a Schedule II medication to PAs and APRNs 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.

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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.

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TAPA advocates for modernizing state regulations to better align with contemporary healthcare delivery models, focusing on optimizing team-based care between PAs and physicians. This aims to clarify professional responsibilities while maintaining the highest standards of patient care and professional collaboration. 

Amend Section 166 of the Health and Safety code to include Physician Assistants to the list of medical professionals authorized to issue an Advanced Directive in cases where the PA has primary responsibility for a patient's treatment and care.

Direct payment mechanisms for qualified healthcare providers can enhance healthcare delivery efficiency and expand patient access to medical services. This approach allows healthcare teams to focus on providing timely, high-quality care while streamlining administrative processes. Such improvements in healthcare delivery systems can help address the growing demands for medical services in our Texas communities. 

If you have any information you would like to see posted in this section, please contact us via email at tapa@tapa.org or by phone at 512-518-0120.