Medical societies urge California to authorize physician health program
A broad coalition of physicians and medical societies urged the Medical Board of California to support California Assembly Bill 408 (AB 408), which would help create a state physician health program (PHP). AB 408 has the key provisions necessary to support a PHP that is an evidence-based, comprehensive system to help physicians with health conditions obtain care and protect patient safety, the AMA testified.
The bill is strongly supported by the California Medical Association and the Federation of State Physician Health Programs, both of which testified in support of AB 408. In addition, the bill received support from medical associations representing addiction medicine physicians, psychiatrists, and child and adolescent psychiatrists.
California is one of only a few states that do not currently have a functioning state physician health program.
Learn more (PDF) about AMA’s support of PHPs and other advocacy efforts to improve physicians’ health and well-being.
West Virginia bill would remove physician collaboration with physician assistants
The AMA recently sent a letter (PDF) to West Virginia Senate President Randy E. Smith, urging lawmakers to defeat Senate Bill 956 (SB 956). The bill proposes eliminating the requirement that physician assistants collaborate with physicians, thus allowing them to practice independently without any physician involvement.
According to the AMA, this legislation runs counter to national trends and could result in worse patient outcomes and higher health care costs, without improving access to health care in rural areas of the state. “Compelling evidence from multiple studies demonstrates that removing physician collaboration leads to worse patient outcomes, higher health care costs, and—contrary to proponents’ claims—fails to improve access to rural health care,” wrote AMA CEO John Whyte, MD, MPH.
The letter highlighted patient preferences and the importance of physician-led care teams. An AMA survey cited in the letter found that “95 percent of U.S. voters agree that physicians should be involved in their medical diagnoses and treatment decisions.” The AMA argues that patients want and expect physicians to be involved in their care, and that allowing physician assistants to practice independently is not what patients expect or deserve.
Importantly, SB 956 would set West Virginia apart from most of the nation, where physician supervision or collaboration of physician assistants remains the norm. The AMA stressed that maintaining the team-based model has broad legislative support: “Most states recognize that health care delivery is optimized when physicians and physician assistants are part of a collaborative health care team.” There is also strong recognition among lawmakers across the country that maintaining physician-led teams is in the best interest of patients.
The letter also cited a recent AMA survey which confirms that physician assistants highly value physician leadership on care teams, with 100% of physician assistant respondents stating that they practice as part of a physician-led team. “Respondents to the survey also report high satisfaction with this model, citing the ability to collaborate with physicians on complex and routine cases, the value of physician mentorship, and enhanced patient safety as key benefits to physician-led care.” Dr. Whyte noted in the letter.
Finally, the letter highlighted the importance of maintaining physician-led care given the high numbers of physician assistants practicing in specialties, such as orthopaedic surgery, dermatology, and emergency medicine, often without any formal training in the respective specialty. Instead, they rely on physicians for the guidance, mentorship, and training necessary to practice in the specialty.
The AMA concluded by offering partnership in finding real solutions to workforce issues, such as expanding telehealth, increasing graduate medical education slots, and providing loan repayment programs for physicians practicing in rural areas, while urging lawmakers to defeat SB 956.
