Atlanta, GA – May 18, 2011 - The Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) is pleased to report two significant developments that will benefit both Physician Assistants (PAs) and the patients they serve.

GAPA’s Legislative and Governmental Affairs (LGA) Committee marked the completion of a successful effort this past week as Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed HB 303 into law. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), eliminates the “subsequent visit” requirement added to the PA Act in 2009.  This provision has been replaced with language that is workable for PA/Physician teams.

“The passage of HB 303 allows PAs to authenticate almost all healthcare documents within the scope of practice of their supervising Physician, ” said Tom Bauer, GAPA’s legislative consultant. “It also simplifies record keeping in the signing and distribution of pharmaceutical samples.”

The bill was passed by the Georgia General Assembly in April and will become effective July 1, 2011.

In response to the passage of HB 303 and after meeting with representatives of GAPA’s LGA Committee, the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) has decided to change its policy that had required extra steps for certain medical providers to perform health examinations for high school athletes.

“They have now determined that these exams can be conducted by a PA or Nurse Practitioner (NP) as well as by a licensed allopathic or osteopathic Physician,” said Jeff Chambers, LGA Committee chair.  “The GHSA also decided that the exam may be signed by a PA or NP who has been delegated that task by a Physician. This is a major accomplishment for our profession and for our patients.”

It is through membership support that GAPA is able to achieve results such as these that benefit Georgia’s PAs, as well as the thousands of patients who depend on PAs to deliver personal and affordable healthcare.

The mission of the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants is to promote high quality, cost-effective, accessible healthcare as part of a Physician-directed PA/Physician team. Georgians can find a member PA near them by clicking on the “Find a PA” tab at gapa.net.

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