How will modernized PA laws help patients and strengthen healthcare teams?

• A. Unlocking the full potential of the PA to ensure patients in all communities have access to timely, effective and quality care
• B. Decreasing PA autonomy
• C. Increasing administrative hurdles
• D. Reducing patient access

Answer: (A)

Modernized PA laws expand what PAs can do by allowing practice to the full extent of their training and experience, with collaborative oversight as needed. When PAs can perform a wide range of tasks—comprehensive physical exams, ordering and interpreting tests, prescribing medications, and managing routine and chronic care—they can provide timely, effective, and high-quality care in more communities. This reduces delays and barriers to access, which improves patient outcomes and satisfaction.

This approach also strengthens healthcare teams by enabling efficient task sharing. PAs can handle primary and preventive care, urgent and follow-up visits, and longitudinal management, while physicians supervise and focus on more complex cases. The result is a more scalable, collaborative model that broadens coverage, reduces wait times, and supports better coordination of care across settings.

Options describing decreased autonomy, more administrative hurdles, or reduced access don’t align with the goals of modernized PA laws, which aim to empower PAs and enhance the overall functioning of the care team.