Arizona "PA Modernization Act" (HB 2021) Law
Effective January 1, 2011!

Legislation to make key improvements in the law governing PAs in Arizona.
The Modernization Act:

• eliminates a requirement that physicians file a notice of supervision with the regulatory board;
• removes a requirement that physicians designate an "agent" to supervise in the doctor's absence;
• increases the number of PAs a physician may supervise at any one time from 2 to 4; and
• allows weekly meetings required for PAs practicing in remote areas to be conducted via telecommunication.

The Arizona medical society, osteopathic society, nurses association, Mayo Clinic, association of community clinics and others signed on to support the bill.

View HB 2010 fact sheet>>

Official Chapter Law>>

PA Controlled Substance Prescribing Privileges

ASAP has received several inquiries about the limitations which still exist with PA controlled substance prescribing privileges. To respond on this issue, ASAPA would like to issue the following statement:

“When we approached the medical associations regarding introduction of what became HB 2010, a central condition of their cooperation was that the bill not involve “scope of practice” issues (since under Arizona law any change in scope of practice for a health profession must comply with the state’s “sunrise” process (ARS 32-3101 et seq)). The process is described on the legislature’s website at http://www.azleg.gov/Sunset_Review.pdf (starting at page 22). It essentially requires that a sunrise report be filed by September 1st of the year in which legislation will be sought, with prescribed content that explains the increase in scope of practice and answers a number of questions concerning the rationale for it and its impacts. Since increasing prescribing authority is clearly a scope of practice issue, we agreed, and ASAPA plans to submit a report requesting an increase to 30 days by the September 1, 2010 deadline.

We anticipate a favorable response on this from both medical associations, and there was no opposition from other stakeholder groups the last time this was attempted in 1992. Assuming the House and Senate Health Committees of Reference approve the request we will enlist a sponsor and file a bill in January 2011.

We would certainly appreciate ASAPA members and any physician partners to aid us in gathering support from the medical community, as well as, meet with AZ congressmen/women on behalf of new legislation. If you have an interest in being a legislative advocate on this issue, please contact ASAPA at contact@asapa.org."