A step in the right direction for PAS

Like every state, Connecticut is experiencing a health care provider shortage worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. To expand access to health care, one of the first steps is ensuring that medical providers are able to perform key functions to maximize quality and access to health care services. For PAS (physician assistants), outdated regulations can hinder the ability to provide the best possible care.

PAS are licensed medical professionals who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications and often serve as a patient’s principal health care provider. Fortunately, the state legislature has recently taken action to update state laws to better align with how PAS practice today: on health care teams, in every setting and specialty.

The Connecticut Academy of PAS thanks Speaker Matt Ritter, Sen. Mary Abrams and Rep. Jonathan Steinberg for their efforts to secure the passage of Public Act

No. 21-196, which recently became law. This law updates nearly 80 areas of state law by adding PAS — allowing PAS to do more for patients and making health care teams more efficient.

This is a step in the right direction, but there is more to be done to ensure PAS remain able to provide high-quality patient care alongside our physician and nurse colleagues.

The writer is president of the Connecticut Academy of PAS.