What if PAs Couldn't Suture Anymore?

This a repost from a call sent out by the AAPA based on a resolution brought to the AMA's House of Delegates. Read it and take part in your future scope of practice as a PA.

Join AAPA in responding to negative AMA resolution

While workforce experts are predicting a shortage of providers with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the American Medical Association Board of Trustess is proposing a resolution for its House of Delegates that could severely restrict PAs' ability to provide care to patients. PAs should be very concerned about the resolution, which will be considered by the AMA HOD when it convenes on Saturday, June 15. The recommendations are very restrictive and display a misunderstanding of the way PAs and doctors provide care as part of a team. Among other restrictions, the resolution expands the definition of surgery to include repair and removal of human tissue and, although parts of the resolution are somewhat unclear, states that surgery as defined in the resolution is to be performed ONLY BY PHYSICIANS. If adopted as presented, the resolution will call into question procedures like suturing, punch biopsies and vein harvesting, which PAs perform on a daily basis across many medical specialties. The resolution also proposes that only physicians should perform invasive procedures that utilize radiologic imaging. You can read Report 16 of the AMA Board of Trustees in full here.

AAPA is spreading the word about the negative impact this resolution would have on patient care and PA practice, but we need your help. Please review the list of AMA delegates in your state or specialty, and if you have a connection, please let that physician know the true damage that this resolution could create. Also, talk with and encourage physicians in your practice to speak with other physician leaders about the resolution. AAPA's suggestion is that the resolution should be defeated, or modified to specifically state that it does not apply to PAs practicing within the parameters of state law.

For more information on the AMA resolution please contact Ann Davis, PA-C, MS, Senior Director of Constituent Organization Outreach and Advocacy, at ann@aapa.org.