Howard Glassroth
American Academy of Physician Assistants
703-836-2272 ext. 3505

AAPA SUPPORTS MACY FOUNDATION REPORT

Improving Primary Care Requires Removing Barriers to PA Practice

Washington, D.C. – March 10, 2010 – AAPA applauds the innovative health care recommendations presented in the Josiah Macy, Jr., Foundations’ recent report entitled “Who Will Provide Primary Care and How Will They Be Trained?” The report, released March 4, 2010, highlights an important component of improving primary care: removing the regulatory barriers to PA-provided care.

“Removing regulatory barriers is critical to providing the best possible patient-centered care,” said AAPA President Stephen Hanson. “Not only do regulations restrict team leadership, but they also adversely affect physician-PA team practice. These barriers range from restrictions on PA prescribing to inflexible physician supervisory laws.”

AAPA strongly supports the Foundation’s recommendations and reaffirms the PA profession’s philosophy that physician supervision is fundamental to PA practice; physicians will always be the clinical leaders of health care teams. However, this principle does not preclude PAs from leading teams and managing patient care under the direction of physicians. This team model is a valuable method for delivering high quality, cost-effective, patient-centered care.

The Foundation’s report is based on consensus from a January health policy conference aimed at developing ways to improve primary care and it delineates three main areas of improvement. First, the United States must invest more in primary care. This investment includes incentivizing primary care practice, reducing barriers to care and updating reimbursement systems. Second, there must be dramatic improvements in the way primary care providers are educated and trained. Educational facilities need to increase class sizes for primary care and must develop interdisciplinary educational models. Finally, strong leadership is needed to implement these changes, and this leadership must be developed and supported through education and funding.

“With a projected shortage of 40,000 primary care physicians over the next ten years, it is imperative that all primary care medical professionals work together for effective solutions,” said AAPA’s CEO, Bill Leinweber. “This is especially true since well-trained PAs are entering the workforce at a faster rate than physicians.”

The January health policy conference was attended by a diverse group representing primary care, including allopathic and osteopathic physicians, PAs, nurse practitioners, academics and leaders in health care policy.

To read the report, please go to:

http://josiahmacyfoundation.org/index.php?section=publications

###

The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) is the only national professional association that represents PAs across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the armed forces and federal services. Founded in 1968, AAPA works to increase the professional and personal growth of the entire PA workforce by providing comprehensive support and advocacy for physician assistants so that they may, in turn, provide patients with increased access to quality, cost-effective health care.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2010

Contact: Jorge Sanz
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
202-331-4323

Physician Assistants Call on Congress for Policies That Promote High-Quality Patient Care

AAPA honors U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin for commitment to patient care

Washington, D.C. – Hundreds of physician assistants (PAs) will converge in Washington, D.C. on February 23 during the American Academy of Physician Assistants' (AAPA) Capitol Connection summit to deliver the message to Capitol Hill that PAs are integral to a strong health care system that delivers the highest possible care to patients.

"Research suggests that the U.S. will face a shortage of 40,000 family physicians by the year 2020 and that's before we add any new patients from the ranks of the under or uninsured," said Steve Hanson, president of AAPA. "Physician assistants from around the country have come to D.C. to tell Congress that we can help fill this gap. We execute more than 80 percent of the responsibilities of a physician with no compromise in quality or patient care satisfaction — but we need legislative action in order to deliver care to more people."

The Capitol Connection summit drew PAs from across the country to call upon elected officials to recognize the vital role PAs play in health care reform and patient care. At the summit, which is being held over two days in the nation's capitol, PAs will organize to discuss the current state of health care legislation and meet with their Senators and Representatives.

The Capitol Connection summit will also recognize U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, M.D., with the 2010 AAPA President's Award. Awarded to Dr. Benjamin for her support of PAs in her commitment to patient care, the President's Award honors an outstanding advocate for physician assistants. As "America's Doctor," Dr. Benjamin provides the public with the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and the health of the nation.

The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) is the only national professional association that represents PAs across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the armed forces and federal services. Founded in 1968, AAPA works to increase the professional and personal growth of the entire PA workforce by providing comprehensive support and advocacy for physician assistants so that they may, in turn, provide patients with increased access to quality, cost-effective health care.

For Immediate Release:
January 29, 2010

Brooke Braun
American Academy of Physician Assistants
703-836-2272 ext. 3502
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

American Academy of Physician Assistants Welcomes New
Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Government Affairs

(Alexandria, VA) – The American Academy of Physician Assistants, the only national professional society to represent all physician assistants across all areas of medicine, is pleased to announce James Potter has joined the Academy as Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Government Affairs.

“Jim is a strong and timely addition to our leadership team at a time when health care reform remains unfinished business,” said AAPA chief executive officer Bill Leinweber. “His proven advocacy expertise will be invaluable to the Academy’s success in its efforts to advance PAs’ ability to provide patients with access to high quality, cost-effective care.” said Leinweber.

In his new role, Potter will be responsible for oversight and direction of the Academy’s public policy, grassroots and political advocacy activities, including federal and state legislative and regulatory programs, professional practice, political action committee, and relationships with professional and accrediting organizations.

Prior to joining AAPA, Potter directed government relations and public policy at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Under his leadership, ASHA was recognized by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) with its highest honor – The Summit Award – for its efforts to advance early detection and intervention for children with hearing loss.

Potter previously directed federal and state advocacy programs for the American College of Radiology where he was awarded the FDA Commissioner’s Special Citation and Vice President’s Hammer Award for coordinating a consensus approach on federal quality and coverage guidelines for mammography. He also worked for the American Medical Association helping to establish multi-specialty initiatives, such as the Relative-Value Update Committee (RUC) and quality measures development via the Practice Parameters Partnership.

Potter began his policy career as a legislative assistant in the office of Michigan Congressman David Bonior where he developed testimony, legislation, news releases and position statements. He also represented and spoke on behalf of the Congressman at civic functions.

Potter received his Masters in Public Policy and undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan.

###

The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) is the only national professional association that represents PAs across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the armed forces and federal services. Founded in 1968, AAPA works to increase the professional and personal growth of the entire PA workforce by providing comprehensive support and advocacy for physician assistants so that they may, in turn, provide patients with increased access to quality, cost-effective health care.

Physician Assistants are Key to Fixing an Unsustainable Health Care System

The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) applauds the president’s determination to continue to work toward meaningful health care reform. Like the President and many business leaders, the Academy believes that the current health care system is simply not sustainable.

With health care costs consuming 17% of our economy – and growing – health care reform must play an integral role in our nation’s economic recovery. Numerous reports by the Business Roundtable and others have revealed that the cost of the current U.S. health care system places America’s companies and workers at a significant disadvantage in the global marketplace. Simply put, American workers and their families cannot achieve economic security without access to an affordable health care system.

“While we recognize and support the president’s priority of jobs and economic recovery, America’s more than 75,000 PAs know that successfully addressing those challenges is inextricably linked to a health care system that, if not fixed, will become an increasing burden on our nation’s economic resources,” said Stephen H. Hanson, AAPA President. “PAs already play an important role in the delivery of health care and, in a reformed system, will have greater responsibilities as providers strive to meet the parallel challenges of an increased patient load and growing physician shortage.”

AAPA calls on the Administration and all Members of Congress to place patients and their families first and to renew their efforts to pass health care reform legislation. The bills produced by the House and Senate to date contain many provisions to make quality medical care available to all Americans. These include provisions that create new models of care, such as the medical home and chronic care management, support the primary health care workforce, commit to increasing and enhancing wellness and health promotion, and expand access to care for Medicare patients.

Physician assistants, practicing in physician-PA teams, already provide Americans with increased access to high quality, cost-effective care. PAs stand ready to:

• Meet the increased workforce need through the growing physician shortage
• Lead and contribute to medical home and chronic care medical teams
• Promote health and wellness as well as acute medical care
• Provide continuity of care for Medicare patients who require hospice

“AAPA is ready to continue working with the Administration and Congress to enact health care reform that improves access to and quality of patient care,” Hanson said.

WASHINGTON—The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), representing more than 75,000 clinically practicing physician assistants (PAs) practicing in the United States, applauds the U.S. Senate for passing its health care reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, in an historic early morning session on December 24th.

“We are especially pleased that this bill contains legislation allowing PAs to order skilled nursing facility care for Medicare patients,” said AAPA President Stephen Hanson. “We are also happy to see that the bill reauthorizes the Title VII Health Professions Programs of the Public Health Service Act with a 15% carve out for PA educational programs within the cluster on primary care medicine. We are disappointed, however, that the Finance Committee provision allowing PAs to provide hospice care for Medicare beneficiaries is not in the bill,” Hanson said.

As the Senate and House of Representatives – which passed a similar bill last month – begin the process of negotiating a single bill to send to President Obama, the AAPA is committed to working with the 111th Congress to enact health care reform legislation that meets the needs of the American people and encompasses the Academy’s health care reform principles. They include: access to quality, affordable, cost-effective health care for all Americans; the use of evidence-based medicine; physician-directed teams of health care providers; optimal utilization of primary care; emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention; medical liability reform that treats both patients and providers equitably and encourages health care professionals to apologize for an adverse outcome without increasing risk; and sustainable financing and payment mechanisms that take into account comparative-effectiveness information.

“The bill aligns with many of AAPA’s health care reform principles. We are truly pleased that the U.S Senate passed this bill,” Hanson said.

For Immediate Release:
November 9, 2009

Brooke Braun
American Academy of Physician Assistants
703-836-2272 ext. 3502
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

American Academy of Physician Assistants Applauds U.S. House of Representatives for Passing Health Care Reform Bill

WASHINGTON—The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), representing more than 75,000 clinically practicing physician assistants (PAs) practicing in the United States, applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing Saturday its health care reform bill, H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

“We are especially delighted that this reform bill will ultimately lower the cost of health care and greatly expand coverage to millions of Americans who are currently uninsured,” said AAPA President Stephen Hanson. “We also are pleased that the bill specifies PAs as primary health care providers and accentuates the fact that PAs may lead the primary care team in the new chronic care management model.”

The bill fully integrates PAs into new medical home and chronic care management models of care, including the following requirement for certification of community-based medical homes – “the organization provides medical home services under the supervision of and in close collaboration with the primary care physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant designated by the beneficiary as his or her community-based medical home provider.”

AAPA is committed to working with the 111th Congress to enact health care reform legislation that meets the needs of the American people and encompasses the Academy’s health care reform principles, including:  access to quality, affordable, cost-effective health care for all Americans; the use of evidence-based medicine; physician-directed teams of health care providers; optimal utilization of primary care; emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention; medical liability reform that treats both patients and providers equitably and encourages health care professionals to apologize for an adverse outcome without increasing risk; and sustainable financing and payment mechanisms that take into account comparative-effectiveness information.

“The Affordable Health Care for America Act aligns with many of AAPA’s health care reform principles. We are truly pleased that the House passed this bill Saturday,” Hanson said.

###

The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) is the only national professional association that represents PAs across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the armed forces and federal services. Founded in 1968, AAPA works to increase the professional and personal growth of the entire PA workforce by providing comprehensive support and advocacy for physician assistants so that they may, in turn, provide patients with increased access to quality, cost-effective health care. Learn more about PAs at www.aapa.org.