Arkansas Joins the PA Compact!

ARAPA is very excited to announce that Arkansas is now the 14th state to join the national PA Licensure Compact! SB101 was signed on March 18 by Governor Sanders as Act 300. We join border states Oklahoma and Tennessee, along with 11 other states to expedite licensure processes for PAs across the nation! 

The compact is now in the process of being operationalized, which typically takes from 18 to 24 months from the start of a compact activation. Once operationalized, eligible PAs can complete a single application to receive a compact privilege (which is equivalent to a license) from each compact state in which they intend to practice. To learn more about the PA Licensure Compact, visit PAcompact.org.

Thank you to the Legislative Committee for their hard work over the last two years prepping for this. BUT, we're not done! ARAPA has 2 more bills filed this year and we need YOUR support! 

SB100 would allows PAs to serve as primary care providers (PCPs) with AR Medicaid. SB100 has passed the Senate and is scheduled soon to be heard by the House Public Health Committee. This commonsense solution allows for better transparency for patients, expanded access to care for rural Arkansans, and eliminates delays of care which arise when patients need timely orders signed by a PCP. This is a crucial step for PA practice in Arkansas, and we need your help! We are still collecting physician names for our letter of support (also attached) to show legislators that this measure is widely supported. Please share the letter with your supervising physician, physician colleagues, or any you know personally and ask if they will show their support! To add their name, please contact Aaron Woodall at president@arkansaspa.org or 501-650-5793 by 3/31. 

SB99 which allows PAs to delegate tasks to unlicensed medical staff has passed through the Senate, and passed this week through the House Public Health committee without opposition! It will soon be heard on the House floor. Be on the lookout for updates on this measure and opportunities to show support.