Model language: AAPA has researched and prepared model language on a variety of topics. Many chapters have avoided reinventing the wheel by consulting and adopting the Academy's model language.
Rapid response consultation: We are generally able to give you suggestions or advice on very short notice. We know that many issues arrive without warning; we do our best to help you quickly.
Draft testimony, letters, alerts, etc.: We can draft testimony, background briefs, letters, alerts, and a wide variety of documents for your project. Or we can give you examples of documents used by other chapters.
Decision memoranda: Some chapters have found that they needed additional information to make an important decision. The AAPA staff can prepare decision memoranda to give you a framework for making your decision.
Legal language review: If you have draft language, let us review it for you. We may know how certain concepts have worked in other states and help you avoid a problem.
Statutory/Regulatory reviews: AAPA staff can go through all of the statutes and/or regulations that affect PA practice in your state, identify all the areas that could be improved, and suggest possible fixes. Even if your state PA practice act is perfect, there are areas of law outside of the practice act that can also affect PAs' ability to provide patient care. Your state chapter may decide to pursue only one or two minor changes, or you might aim for a complete overhaul of your practice act, but our review will leave no stone unturned.
Articles for your chapter's newsletter: Looking for "ready-to-drop" articles for your state chapter's newsletter? We have three articles designed to promote state advocacy, and all you need to do is copy and paste. The articles are: "Hosting a Legislator at Your Practice", "Considering a Run for Office?", and "Why 'PA' Should Also Stand for 'Political Activist'".
Research and background information: Sometimes the right facts can clinch a debate. If you need some background information, let us know. We have facts at our fingertips. Take a look at this background piece we prepared for the New Mexico Academy of Physician Assistants on why the physician-PA team is the solution to a primary care shortage in many areas of the state, or this backgrounder on why it is important for a state law to recognize that PAs practice medicine with physician supervision.
Presentations: Does your chapter have an opportunity to present to your state medical board about PAs and you're not sure what to say? We can prepare PowerPoint presentations for you that highlight the crtical role that PAs play in the health care system, and explore the most important regulatory issues that affect PA practice - otherwise known as the "Six Key Elements of a Modern PA Practice Act". We can customize the presentation for your state: take a look at this presentation we made for New York .
AAPA Legislative Action Center: Would a customized electronic system for activating grassroots support improve your chance of legislative success? The Academy provides such a system through its Legislative Action Center (LAC), at no charge to PA state societies. The LAC provides chapters with an opportunity to update PAs on state legislation and prompts them to take action during critical phases of the legislative process. To find out more about how the LAC can help your state chapter in its advocacy efforts, view this PowerPoint presentation .
Advice: AAPA staff is available to speak with you and advise you on a wide range of topics related to your government advocacy goals. We also have written materials that you can share with others in your state chapter. If you need some pointers on how to effectively manage a short-term or long-term legislative project, AAPA's Taking Charge book is rich with advice. For guidance on establishing relationships with other state medical organizations in order to build support for your legislative goals, read Team Building.
Networking: AAPA staff and elected leadership network with groups from the American Medical Association to the National Conference of State Legislatures. We may have a contact that can help in your state. We can also assist by putting you in touch with a chapter leader who has tackled an issue similar to one you are wrestling with in your state. Most PA state government leaders are generous about sharing their strategies.
Site visits: Would it help if someone from the national office came to meet with your chapter, testify at a hearing, help you plan your strategy at a board meeting? Call us. We are frequently able to make a site visit to lend a hand (at AAPA expense).
Summary information: We summarize many aspects of PA state laws so the information is quickly available for chapter use. A partial list of existing summary information includes:
- PA Administration of Anesthesia
- PA Ability to Perform Minor Surgical Procedures
- PAs First Assisting on Major (i.e., Cardiac or Level III Trauma) Surgery
- PA Authorization to Request, Receive, Sign for and Distribute Sample Drugs and Devices
- Injection of Botox by PAs
- Physician Cosignature of PA Chart Entries
- Medical Response in Disasters and Emergencies
- Good Samaritan Immunity
- Informed Consent
- Utilization of PAs in Long-Term Care Facilities
- New Graduate PA Practice Prior to NCCPA Certification
- PA Licensing and its Relationship to Employment/Supervision
- PA Participation in Obstetrical Care and Deliveries
- Procedures Utilizing Lasers
- Use of Ionizing Radiation
- PAs' Ability to Make Referrals for PT
- Supervisory Ratio of PAs to Physicians
- Supervision Requirements
Financial Support: AAPA has a state government assistance grant program for state chapters. Each year, the AAPA Board of Directors allocates funds to assist state chapters who are lacking only money to pursue an important change. Click here to view the qualifications for a state government assistance grant and to find out how to apply.
Accessing assistance for your state government program is only a phone call or mouse click away.
