Revision: March 26, 2024, 3:04 p.m.
Rep. Merchant, Sull. 6
Rep. Grote, Rock. 24
Rep. Nagel, Belk. 6
March 26, 2024
2024-1338h
09/05
Floor Amendment to HB 1222
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT establishing a study committee relative to physician assistant scope of practice.
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
1 Committee Established; Purpose.
I. Access to primary care health care providers in New Hampshire, especially in rural parts of the state, continues to be an issue for patients. Expansion of the scope of practice of physician assistants could expand patient access to primary care.
II. There is established a study committee to research the physician assistant scope of practice and laws governing the collaboration with other health care providers, including, but not limited to, nurses, physicians, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists.
2 Membership and Compensation.
I. Members of the committee shall include the following:
(a) Four members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, 2 of whom shall be from the house health, human services, and elderly affairs committee, one from the house executive departments and administration committee, and one at large.
(b) One member of the senate appointed by the president of the senate.
II. The committee’s study shall include collaboration with:
(a) New Hampshire Society of Physician Assistants.
(b) New Hampshire Board of Medicine.
(c) New Hampshire Board of Nursing.
(d) New Hampshire Nurse Practitioner Association.
(e) New Hampshire Medical Society.
III. The committee may solicit input from any person or entity the committee deems relevant to its study.
IV. Legislative members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.
3 Duties. The study committee shall:
I. Research revisions to current statutes governing the scope of practice of a physician assistant.
II. Research educational requirements for a physician assistant aligned with a given scope of practice, including such functions as the prescribing of medications and the ordering of diagnostic tests.
III. Research training and experience requirements for a physician assistant to safely practice within his or her given scope of practice.
IV. Research other state laws that govern physician assistant scope of practice, educational requirements, and the level of supervision and collaboration with physicians, with the intent to make New Hampshire competitive in this market.
V. Research billing by physician assistants and reimbursement by insurance for provided services.
4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The quorum will consist of a majority of the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this act.
5 Report. The committee shall submit a report including its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation on or before November 1, 2024 to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library.
6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
2024-1338h
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a study committee relative to physician assistant scope of practice, and provides duties thereto.