From their inception, PAs have been essential members of the physician-led healthcare team, serving as physician extenders to enhance patient care. However, SB 88 represents a dangerous step toward dismantling this proven model, creating an ambiguous and loosely defined "collaborative" structure that weakens physician oversight and could compromise patient safety.
Why SB 88 is Harmful:
- Undermines Physician-Led Care – Replacing supervision with collaboration diminishes the role of physicians in directing patient care, leading to fragmented healthcare delivery.
- Increases Patient Risks – Reduced physician oversight may result in more missed diagnoses, treatment errors, and patient safety concerns.
- Opens the Door to Further Scope Expansions – If SB 88 passes, KMA anticipates seeing the following scope of practice debates in future legislative sessions:
- Change the PA title from "Physician Assistant" to "Physician Associate" or another misleading name
- Expand PA prescriptive authority to include Schedule II controlled substances
- Establish an independent PA licensing board
- Remove collaborative agreements with physicians altogether
- Allow PAs to directly bill insurance, further separating them from physician oversight
The KMA strongly opposes SB 88 and urges lawmakers to reject this attempt to erode the physician-led care model that ensures patient safety, quality care, and cost-effective treatment.
Contact your Senator TODAY and urge them to VOTE NO on SB 88. We must ensure that physicians remain at the forefront of patient care.
Contact Your Senator
and ask them to OPPOSE Senate Bill 88.
Legislative Message Line: (800) 372-7181