There have been critical developments regarding S.44 and S.45 (scope expansion), and physicians must use their voices now — with legislators, hospitals, and peers — to highlight the significant training and education differences between physicians and other healthcare providers. These developments would undermine the physician-led, team-based model that protects patients. 

• The gap in training is significant: physicians complete 12,000–16,000 clinical hours through standardized, rigorous education and residency, compared to 2,500–4,000 hours for APRNs and PAs with wide variability in oversight. 
• Physician collaboration isn’t about limiting autonomy — it’s about ensuring every patient benefits from the depth of clinical judgment that comes only through extensive medical training. 

Please remind your Senators about where physicians — trusted healthcare leaders — stand:

• VOICE SUPPORT for Team Based Health Care Act (S.669, Verdin), which will memorialize what is already law — that APRns, PAs, and AAs must practice as a part of a patient care team that is led by a South Carolina licensed physician practicing within the state.
• VOICE OPPOSITION to all "Scope of Practice" bills, including S.44 and S.45, that would eliminate or reduce physician supervision, or would increase scope for other healthcare professionals in ways that will create patient safety concerns.