This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to allow physician assistants to own and operate their own medical practices, thereby expanding their professional status within the medical framework. It introduces provisions that permit medical corporations to have physician assistant shareholders and aligns the definition of "physician assistant" with the terminology used by the American Academy of Physician Associates. The bill also designates physician assistants as a professional service under the Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, ensuring they are recognized within the legal structure of medical corporations.

Additionally, the legislation includes measures to enhance accountability among physician assistants, such as denying licenses to those with a proprietary interest in referrals and expanding the grounds for disciplinary actions to include physician assistants alongside physicians and podiatrists. Key insertions in the bill include the requirement for medical corporations to have at least one licensed shareholder and the necessity of a certificate of authorization for practicing medicine, surgery, or podiatry. The bill emphasizes the importance of transparency in patient care and the integrity of the practitioner-patient relationship, outlining penalties for violations of the new regulations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 30-3-14, 30-3-15, 31B-13-1301