This bill amends the regulations governing physician assistants in Alaska by enhancing their representation on the State Medical Board, which will now include a licensed physician assistant as a member. It repeals and reenacts the section detailing the scope of practice for physician assistants, establishing collaborative agreements as a requirement for their practice. While physician assistants are permitted to perform tasks they are trained for, the bill explicitly prohibits them from performing surgery independently. Additionally, it sets forth new qualifications for applicants, including proof of graduation from an accredited program and current certification, and introduces temporary permits under certain conditions.

The legislation further expands the recognition and scope of practice for physician assistants by allowing them to volunteer in medical facilities, provide services to athletic teams, and be recognized as practitioners alongside physicians. It updates the definition of "practice of medicine" to explicitly include physician assistants and clarifies the use of the title "doctor" for individuals with doctorate degrees who are not physicians. The bill also modifies contract requirements between healthcare providers and insurers to ensure that any collaboration requirements for physician assistants are not more restrictive than those set by the State Medical Board, and it removes the necessity for direct supervision by a licensed physician or psychiatrist, thereby granting greater autonomy to physician assistants in their practice.

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