Relates to approved programs and examinations for applicants for a license as a physician assistant

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to approved programs and examinations for applicants for a license as a physician assistant

Purpose

This bill amends the Education Law to allow graduates of approved physician assistant programs located outside of the United States to be eligible for licensing examinations.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Amends section 6540 of the Education Law by amending the definition of "approved program" to include programs based in other countries that have been approved by the appropriate civil authorities of the host country.

Section 2. Amends section 6541 of the Education to prohibit the denial of access to licensure examinations based upon the location of a prospective test taker's physician assistant program.

Justification

Physician assistants practice medicine under the direction of physicians and surgeons and are formally trained to examine patients, diagnose injuries and illnesses and provide treatment. These professionals often provide primary care services that are suitable to the alternative of general practice medical doctor services. In New York, as with other professions, physician assistants are licensed by SED.

Currently, SED contracts with a single organization that administers a physician assistant licensure examination that excludes persons who complete programs based outside of the United States. Students and graduates of these programs are refused access to this exam even though the program may be approved by the Department. This state of affairs denies access to licensure as a physician assistant.

These circumstances also needlessly disrupt the supply of medical professionals who will be critical to serving the State's health care needs in the future. This impediment exists just as fewer medical school students are choosing to become general practitioners and just as many general practitioners are leaving the profession at an alarming rate.

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has reported that over 25% of physicians are 60 years of age or older and projected that the United States will experience a shortage of over 130,000 full-time equivalent physicians by 2025. Furthermore, a study by the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS), the findings of which were released in its 2011 Physician Advocacy Survey, found that 109 state hospitals reported a shortage of a total of 763 doctors. This growing shortage of medical professionals is occurring just as the estimated 78 million baby boomers begin to reach the age of 65.

In no way does this lessen standards with regard to the educational requirements or the substance of the licensure exam. Also, the bill does not alter any of the other physician assistant licensure requirements, such as the requirement that an applicant possess a bachelor's degree or its equivalent and that the applicant have good moral character.

Legislative history

2014 S.7582/A.10077

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law.