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Reynolds signs physician assistant reform at WCHC
WASHINGTON — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds paid a visit to Washington County Hospital and Clinics Wednesday morning, where she signed House File 424 into effect. The legislation allows physician assistants (PAs) to operate with less supervision after they reach at least two years of experience.
Talking to reporters after the signing ceremony, Reynolds said the deregulation mirrored similar reforms across the country, and fell into a larger agenda of health care improvements through tort reform, loan forgiveness and fellowship programs.
“We found out only 40% of our PAs were staying in Iowa, the majority were going to other states where they had more freedom and flexibility to provide services,” she said. “We need to find ways that we can provide quality health care to Iowans, especially to rural Iowans … and this is a game changer for rural hospitals, it really makes a difference to be able to provide that access.”
The bill passed with bipartisan support in early May facing minimal opposition, with a total of seven votes cast against it in the state house and senate by members of both parties.
The governor called it a “common-sense approach,” something WCHC CEO Todd Patterson said he agreed with, citing a workforce shortage that’s especially pronounced in places like Washington, far from major population centers.
“In a rural setting, it’s very difficult to recruit,” he said. “The current administrative burdens that exist on the PAs’ practice have not allowed us to tap into that deep pool of talent that physician assistants make up … this really gives us an opportunity to address urgent health care needs.”
State Sen. Dawn Driscoll, who was a floor manager for the bill, recommended that the signing take place at Washington’s hospital facility.
The event was held in the same room as a legislative forum last month, where the then-unfinished bill was discussed. Driscoll said those conversations drew newfound attention to the issue, which she called one of the biggest items this session.
“We talked about it with the head of surgery here, and everything (WCHC CEO Todd Patterson) had said, it really proved to rural Iowa that this is going to be critical for health care,” Driscoll said. “We’re just so happy to bring her here, and show off what Washington, what the hospital will have to offer.”
Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com
