Are PAs Mental Health Providers?
Are PAs Mental Health Providers?
Legislative Leaders Plan Response to Your Advocacy
Michigan PAs provide Mental Health Care to tens of thousands of their patients every year. PAs still are not defined in the state’s Mental Health Code.
By now, every Michigan PA and PA student has likely seen MAPA’s related emails and newsletters since 2015. We have highlighted the serious impact on patients in need of behavioral health care. Provided testimony in front of both the House & Senate. Michigan PA leaders most recently met with healthcare policymakers in Lansing at our 2023 Capital Summit.
Top healthcare legislators in Lansing are preparing to reintroduce this important legislation this Fall. Our efforts have been led by Michigan PA leaders in psychiatry from across the state. MAPA’s advocacy has created expanded opportunities for PAs in psychiatry and other behavioral health related specialties.
- 2015 - MAPA petitioned the Senate Health Policy Chair to draft legislation to include PAs in the Mental Health Code.
- 2019 - Senate Bill 568 (MAPA’s Mental Health Code Bill), passed the Senate Unanimously & the House Health Policy Committee but was not taken up by the House.
- 2021 - then Senate Bill 191 again passed the Senate unanimously. Republican House Health Policy Chair Bronna Kahle refused to allow for the bill to have a hearing.
- 2023 - the State of Michigan psychiatric hospitals finally moved to hire psychiatric PAs. The state hospitals have been chronically understaffed while housing some of our most vulnerable patients. Every inpatient psychiatric facility in Michigan will now be supported by psychiatric PAs.
- Fall 2023 - MAPA is preparing for reintroduction of the bill in the 2023-2024 legislative session.
We can only achieve this with your support! CLICK HERE to review our FAQ for including PAs in Michigan’s Mental Health Code.