States are increasingly joining multistate compacts to allow physician assistants (PAs) to practice across state lines, addressing a critical shortage in healthcare workers. The PA Licensure Compact, now adopted by 13 states including Delaware, Utah, and Wisconsin, aims to simplify this process by granting a “privilege to practice” in participating states without additional licenses.

The compact is part of a broader trend to facilitate interstate practice for healthcare professionals, spurred by the expansion of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similar compacts exist for doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, and social workers. However, implementation challenges, such as completing required background checks, have arisen. For instance, Pennsylvania faced delays in joining nursing and medical licensure compacts due to issues with FBI fingerprint database access.

Despite the compact’s benefits, some states like California and New York resist joining, citing concerns over maintaining high healthcare standards. New York Assemblymember Deborah Glick argues that interstate compacts could lower the state’s healthcare quality due to varying educational and training standards. In Texas, opposition from the Texas Medical Association centers on concerns that expanding PA’s scope of practice could compromise patient safety.

The compact’s proponents, including Monica Ward of the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants, argue that it addresses the urgent need for healthcare providers in rural areas and reduces administrative burdens. The compact is expected to become fully operational within 18 to 24 months, requiring the creation of a data system to track licenses.

The economic benefits of such compacts are also highlighted. Aneil Prasad, a nurse who moved from Louisiana to North Carolina, saw his wage increase significantly due to his multistate license. This model encourages mobility and economic stability for healthcare workers, potentially raising wages in less competitive areas.

For PAs, the compact offers a more efficient way to maintain patient relationships across state lines. Currently holding licenses in multiple states, PAs have found the process costly and time-consuming but necessary to provide continuous care. They hope the PA compact will simplify this, allowing them to better serve their patients.

Source: National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals