Legislative Update - March 2025

MAPA is off to a running start in this new legislative season. As PAs, we must remain diligent in our work to progress and protect our profession. We face daily threats to our practice environment. Our greatest strength is to have the support of every PA in Michigan.

Michigan has a new legislature for the 2025-2026 session. The composition and leadership of the legislature have changed significantly. While Democrats remain in control of the Michigan Senate and Governor’s Office, Republicans now have a majority in the House of Representatives.

Michigan PAs and our patients have several advantages:

1. Expanded Autonomy: Michigan eliminated the term "supervision and delegation" for PAs in 2016, replacing it with a "participation" model that grants PAs more independence.

2. Full Prescriptive Authority: PAs in Michigan are considered full prescribers, able to prescribe medications including controlled substances in schedules 2-5 without direct physician delegation.

3. Practice Agreements: PAs work under practice agreements with participating physicians, which allow for flexibility in determining our ability to practice medicine.

4. No Ratio Restrictions: Michigan removed strict ratio requirements limiting the number of PAs per physician, allowing for greater staffing flexibility.

5. Facility Visits: PAs can make calls or go on rounds in various healthcare settings without restrictions on time or frequency of physician visits.

6. Physician Signature: Official documents requiring a physician's signature in Michigan may be signed by PAs.

We still have a lot of work to do. MAPA has already been meeting with legislators as we work towards our goals. The PA Licensure Compact is gaining momentum across the United States. Wisconsin recently became the third state to join the compact in 2024, following Utah and Delaware. Efforts are underway to establish the compact in Michigan, with MAPA working alongside bipartisan legislators to advance the legislation. The compact aims to facilitate multistate practice for PAs and improve healthcare access for patients. Licensed PAs utilizing the compact can obtain a privilege to practice in each member state, adhering to the laws and regulations of the state in which they are practicing.

The PA Licensure Compact offers several key benefits for PAs:

1. Licensure Portability: PAs gain the ability to practice across state lines more easily, allowing them to move seamlessly between compact member states without obtaining multiple state licenses

2. Streamlined Licensing Process: The compact simplifies the administrative process, reducing paperwork and bureaucratic hurdles for PAs seeking to practice in multiple states.

3. Expanded Employment Opportunities: PAs can access new job markets and practice opportunities in different states more readily.

4. Improved Continuity of Care: The compact facilitates ongoing patient care when either patients or providers relocate.

5. Tele-medicine Facilitation: The compact enables PAs to practice tele-medicine across state lines more efficiently.

In order to achieve our goals, we need the support of Michigan PAs. MAPAs Capitol Summit in Lansing is an annual event essential to our success. Here, PAs can sit across from their legislator, promote the profession and share stories of hurdles and successes in our mission to provide the best care possible for our patients. Please join MAPA Leaders at our annual advocacy day in Lansing. 

PAs interested in advocacy and legislative updates should attend to stay informed about trends and initiatives affecting the profession. This annual event offers 4 free category 1 CME opportunities and networking events.