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Legislative Priorities
PA Interstate Licensure Compact Has Been Signed!
Great news! Governor Polis signed the PA Compact Bill (SB24-18) on Friday, May 17. Making Colorado the 10th state to join the PA Licensure Compact. “The Colorado Academy of Physician Associates is so proud of our state in its passing of the licensure compact bill,” said CAPA president Kellie Webber. “We especially want to thank our bill sponsors, our lobbyist, and all those who stepped up to educate lawmakers on the importance of this bill. We look forward to joining our fellow compact states in this groundbreaking feat towards PA modernization in Colorado and continue to strive for the best patient care possible.”
The PA Interstate Licensure Compact will reduce time and cost burdens for PAs who need interstate licenses, like those who practice across state lines or in telemedicine. The compact will expand employment opportunities for PAs in new markets and increase access to care for our patients. Check out the Bill Fact Sheet!
Support SB24-018 PA License Compact
Sens. Simpson & Michaelson Jenet and Reps. Winter & Amabile
What is a Licensure Compact?
It is an interstate occupational licensure compact for various professions. In this case, PAs. Interstate compacts are constitutionally authorized, legally binding, and legislatively enacted contracts among participating states. A licensure compact is administered by a Compact Commission.
A Compact Commission is an interstate government agency comprised of delegates from Compact member states. Licensure Compacts also create a licensure data system to improve information sharing between Compact member states, including disciplinary information.
States joining the Compact agree to recognize a valid, unencumbered license issued by another Compact member state via a Compact privilege. PAs using a Compact privilege to practice in another state must adhere to laws and regulations of practice in that state and are under the jurisdiction of the state’s regulatory board in which they are practicing.
What will SB24-018 do?
Adopting the PA Compact license will allow licensed PAs to practice in states that join the Compact. The Compact privilege allows PAs to provide medical services and other licensed activities to a patient in Colorado and other Compact states.
What are the benefits for Regulators?
- Reduces application processing time. Facilitates cross-state licensure board cooperation on investigations and disputes. Enhances public safety through a shared data system.
- Allows states to charge a fee for a Compact privilege/license and renewal in that state.
- Preserves the current state-based licensure system.
How does this benefit Colorado?
- Promotes workforce development and strengthens labor markets.
- Expands consumer access to highly qualified practitioners.
- Ensures equitable care for patients.
- Expands medical practice and hospital system access to new markets.
- Upholds Colorado laws and Rules pertaining to PAs
- Increases collaboration among states.
- Facilitates practitioner mobility during public health emergencies.
Other Established Successful Colorado Health Care Professional Interstate Compacts Include:
- Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (24-60-3601 C.R.S)
- Interstate Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (24-60-3701 C.R.S)
- Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (24-60-3801 C.R.S)
- Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (24-60-3901 C.R.S)
- Occupational Therapy Licensure Interstate Compact (24-60-4101 C.R.S) (not yet active)
- Audiology and Speech-language Pathology Interstate Compact (24-60-4201 C.R.S) (not yet active)
- Interstate Licensed Professional Counselors Compact (24-60-4301 C.R.S) (not yet active)
States that have a PA Compact
Wisconsin
Utah
Delaware
States that have filed Legislation
Washington
Nebraska
Ohio
Virginia
New York
Maine
Vermont
New Hampshire
Michigan
Why does this matter?
- Collaboration more accurately describes how PAs practice as part of the medical care team.
- Levels the playing field in terms of employment opportunities by allowing employers the freedom to hire advanced practice clinicians who do not require a supervisory agreement with a single specific physician.
- Allows PAs to practice at the top of their license regarding individual training, experience, abilities and knowledge.
- Allows flexibility of employment by employers at the practice level so that PAS are not restricted by overly burdensome. supervisory agreements.
- Continues to grow PA involvement, engagement and expertise in all aspects of healthcare delivery from the frontlines to the legislature.
Current Legislative Priorities
CAPA introduced PA legislation SB23-083,
Physician Assistant Collaboration Requirements
We worked hard to collaborate with physician groups, COPIC and many stakeholders to develop legislation the will modernize PA practice in Colorado. PAs need to be able to use our skills and training to care for patients and increase access to care in areas of Colorado.
The bill will address three main issues:
- PAs will no longer be supervised - we will collaborate with a physician or physician group to provide the best possible care. If your physician leaves and can't be replaced, you no longer risk loosing you job.
- PAs scope of practice will be determined by a PAs training, experience and skills and no longer limited by the scope of their supervision physician.
- All PAs will be responsible for the care they provide.
CAPA is very excited about these changes and again asks the PAs of Colorado to come together to help us pass this legislation. We will post the bill here when it is introduced.
Together - we are a powerful force for positive change for our profession, but more importantly for our patients. CAPA remains committed to our mission to advocate for state regulation change that supports PA practice and access to high quality health care in Colorado. CAPA will continue to advocate for Colorado PAs to be able to practice to the full extent of their education, training, and experience.
What can you do?
- Email Your Legislator! This link will help you find your legislator - very easy, very fast! Put a face and a name to the PA profession for legislators! Your story matters!
- Share the Bill Fact Sheet!
- Keep talking to colleagues and educating them about why this legislation is so important for PAs and the patients we serve
- Join CAPA! Without CAPA, there would be no SB23-083. We are a member funded organization.
We ask all Colorado PAs for continued support to achieve this goal by continuing your CAPA membership, encouraging colleagues to join, and getting involved! As we refocus efforts in the coming months, look for opportunities for further input and engagement around legislative priorities.
We are so proud of our profession and the work we do to support patient care in our state. Thank you for your continued support and for all that you contribute to healthcare in Colorado!
Please reach out to CAPA with any questions at info@coloradopas.org.
Axis Health System Clinica Family Health Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Colorado Community Health Network Colorado Consumer Health Initiative Colorado Rural Health Center DispatchHealth DocsWhoCare Family Practice of Holyoke Grand River Health Gunnison Valley Health Family Practice Gunnison Valley Family Physicians, Crested Butte Gunnison Valley Hospital Hazel Health Healthier Colorado High Plains Community Health Center | Inner City Health Center Kit Carson Clinic Kit Carson County Health Service District Lincoln Community Hospital MarillacHealth Melissa Memorial Hospital Mountain Family Health Centers Northwest Colorado Health Peak Vista Community Health Centers Prowers County Hospital District Prowers Medical Center Pueblo Community Health Center Rangely District Hospital and Clinics River Valley Family Health Centers Rocky Ford Family Practice Salud Family Health San Luis Valley Health La Jara Clinic San Luis Valley Health-Alamosa | San Luis Valley Health - Conejos County Hospital Sheridan Health Services Southeast Colorado Hospital Southeast Colorado Medical Clinic Spanish Peaks Family Clinic Spanish Peaks Outreach Clinic Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center and Veterans Community Living Center St. Vincent General Hospital District STRIDE Community Health Center Summit Community Care Clinic Sunrise Community Health Tepeyac Community Health Center Uncompahgre Medical Center Valley-Wide Health Systems, Inc. Yuma Clinic Yuma District Hospital and Clinics ZoomCare |
CAPA is active in sponsoring legislation specific to PA practice in the state. CAPA also weighs-in on other legislation related to PA practice in line with CAPA's mission to advocate for PA practice in the state of Colorado and increasing access to quality healthcare for all Coloradans.
CAPA legislative action is discussed and directed by the Governmental Affairs Committee with approval from the CAPA Board of Directors. CAPA works with a lobbyist who advocates for the legislative priorities of CAPA, assists with dialogue with legislators and key stakeholders, and allows CAPA to have a consistent voice present at the Colorado State Capitol.
Stay tuned for more information regarding legislative priorities for the 2023 Colorado Legislative Session. If you have additional questions, please contact CAPA or check out the Governmental Affairs Committee page.
Interested in getting involved?Join CAPA! We are only as strong as our members, and as a representative organization, the more PAs we represent, the stronger our voice is! Check out additional membership benefits here. Check out what's going on with the Governmental Affairs Committee. Start a conversation with your personal state legislators! Effective legislation depends on relationships. We encourage you to start conversations about PAs and PA practice with your State Senators and Representatives, and build upon these relationships when PA-specific legislation is being considered. Check out our Grassroots Advocacy efforts here. Attend the annual CAPA at the Capitol event during the Colorado legislative session. Stay tuned for details for the 2024 event! |
Recent CAPA-Sponsored Legislation
HB20-1041, Physician Assistants Financial Responsibility Requirements
Signed into law on 3/20/20
https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb20-1041
The bill specifies that a physician assistant who has been practicing for at least 3 years must comply with the same financial responsibility requirements to which physicians are subject, namely to maintain professional liability coverage of at least $1 million per incident and $3 million aggregate per year. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Colorado medical board to exempt physician assistants from the financial responsibility requirements, or lessen the requirements, to the same extent permitted for physicians. This bill allows the Colorado medical board to continue shared policies between Physician Assistants and their employers.
HB19-1095, Physician Assistants Supervision and Liability
Signed into law on 6/3/19
https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1095
The act states that a licensed physician may be responsible for the direction and supervision of up to 8 physician assistants at any one time. A licensed physician shall not be made responsible for the direction and supervision of more than 4 physician assistants unless the licensed physician agrees to assume the responsibility.
The act adds one more physician assistant as a member of the Colorado medical board (board), for a total of 2 physician assistant members, and adds a fourth member to the licensing panel established by the board president, which fourth member must be a physician assistant board member.
The act states that a physician assistant who has practiced for at least 3 years may be liable for damages resulting from negligence in providing care to a patient, unless the damages occur as a result of the physician assistant following a direct order from a supervising physician, and shall maintain professional liability insurance in an amount not less than $1 million per claim and $3 million for all claims.
