This bill amends existing laws governing the practice and regulation of physician assistants in Alaska, enhancing their representation and scope of practice. It establishes that the State Medical Board will include a licensed physician assistant, thereby improving representation within the board. The bill repeals and reenacts the section on the scope of practice for physician assistants, detailing the acts they may perform, the requirements for practicing in new specialties, and the collaborative agreements they must maintain with supervising physicians. It also outlines the process for physician assistants to gain independent practice authorization in a specialty after acquiring sufficient postgraduate clinical experience. Furthermore, new qualifications for applicants are introduced, including proof of graduation from accredited programs and current certification.

In addition to expanding the roles and definitions related to healthcare providers, the bill allows physician assistants to volunteer services in medical facilities, participate in athletic team medical services, and administer controlled substances. It updates the definition of "practice of medicine" to include physician assistants and clarifies the use of the title "doctor" for individuals with doctorate degrees who are not physicians. The bill modifies contract requirements between healthcare providers and insurers to ensure that any practice or collaboration requirements for physician assistants are not more restrictive than those set by the State Medical Board. It also removes the requirement for direct supervision by a licensed physician or osteopath in certain contexts, granting physician assistants greater autonomy and aiming to improve healthcare delivery in the state.

Statutes affected:
SB0089A, AM SB 89, introduced 02/07/2025: 08.64.010, 08.64.107, 08.64.206, 08.64.200, 08.64.230, 08.64.255, 08.64.250, 08.64.205, 08.64.209, 08.64.270, 08.64.225, 08.64.275, 08.64.279, 08.64.312, 08.64.326, 18.16.010, 09.55.535, 08.64.363, 08.64.334, 08.64.336, 08.64.101, 44.62.310, 18.23.030, 08.64.360, 08.64.370, 08.02.130, 08.64.380, 11.71.900, 13.52.390, 18.08.089, 21.07.010, 23.30.395, 23.30.095, 33.30.901
SB0089B, AM CSSB 89(L&C), introduced 05/19/2025: 08.64.010, 08.64.107, 08.64.206, 08.64.200, 08.64.230, 08.64.255, 08.64.250, 08.64.205, 08.64.209, 08.64.270, 08.64.225, 08.64.275, 08.64.279, 08.64.312, 08.64.326, 18.16.010, 09.55.535, 08.64.363, 08.64.334, 08.64.336, 08.64.101, 44.62.310, 18.23.030, 08.64.360, 08.64.370, 08.02.130, 08.64.380, 11.71.900, 13.52.390, 18.08.089, 21.07.010, 23.30.395, 23.30.095, 33.30.901