Updated laws will help PAs alleviate health care shortage

Today, more than 2 million Kentuckians live in areas that are experiencing health care provider shortages, hindering their ability to receive necessary medical care. In fact, a recent Harris Poll found that 74% of Kentucky patients worry about how these shortages will impact them or loved ones, and 32% give our health care system a failing grade.

In a time where patients in our state are dissatisfied with the health care system, it’s important we do all we can to maximize Kentucky’s health care workforce. Kentuckians currently wait 4.2 weeks to get a needed medical appointment, according to the Harris Poll. That’s simply too long to wait for care.

As a physician associate/assistant in Kentucky for more than 12 years and PA educator for over six years, I share the frustration of our patients. Fortunately, PAs stand ready with commonsense solutions that can make a lasting impact over time, while also helping to keep newly trained PAs in the state after graduation.

Modernized laws will help Kentucky PAs better serve their communities

There is a real need to update several outdated, unnecessary regulations that can hinder a health care team’s ability to fully utilize PAs. With modernized laws, PAs could do more to help address the health care shortages in Kentucky.

On the upside, The Harris Poll survey demonstrated broad public support for one readily available solution: Mobilizing our PA workforce. Ninety-two percent of adults surveyed in Kentucky say they support updating PA laws to allow states and health care systems to fully utilize their health care workforce. By removing administrative barriers to create more flexibility for this ready workforce, we can make a difference in care and access in Kentucky.

PAs are one of the fastest growing health care professions in the country, and our extensive education gives us the training and expertise to serve in every medical specialty including primary care. Rural and other underserved areas are especially hurting and are in dire need of more primary care providers. PAs are more likely to serve these vulnerable populations compared to other clinicians, according to the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality. With updated PA practice laws, our state would be better positioned to recruit and deploy more PAs into the many

Kentuckians currently wait 4.2 weeks to get a needed medical appointment, according to the Harris Poll. That’s simply too long to wait for care.

ALTON STRUPP/COURIER JOURNAL Nurse practitioner Katie Cornett, right, checks the lungs of patient Vickie Slone at a Primary Care Centers of Eastern Kentucky location in Hazard on Sept. 20, 2021.