Physician Assistants’ Association commends Gov. Stitt's health emergency executive order

Physician Assistants’ Association Commends Governor Stitt

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, April 8, 2020 – The Oklahoma Academy of Physician Assistants (OAPA) commended Governor Kevin Stitt today for including two vital provisions related to PAs in his new health emergency executive order. The two provisions will provide PAs more flexibility, and allow them to better serve Oklahomans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“On behalf of the membership of the Oklahoma Academy of Physician Assistants, I commend Governor Stitt for including these two very important provisions in his executive order,” said Allison Garrison, PA-C, leadership and advocacy liaison for OAPA. “It has been our long-standing goal to provide PAs more flexibility so they can better utilize their education, training and practical experience in providing quality healthcare to Oklahomans across the state. It is especially important during our current health crisis that PAs can be fully utilized to aid everyone suffering under this pandemic. I appreciate the Governor taking the initiative to recognize the value of PAs, and the crucial role they play.”

The two provisions, contained in the Governor’s new executive order 2020-13 include:   

• 1. All state agencies with licensing and certificate responsibility over medical professionals, including the Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, State Board of Osteopathic Examiners, and Board of Nursing shall, by April 15, 2020 promulgate emergency rules necessary to increase the number of medical professionals able to practice in the State. Such action may include, but is not limited, to the following:
• A. Reduction in supervisory requirements or limitations placed on non-physicians;
• B. Removal of barriers of entry for retired medical professionals from reentering the workforce. Medical professionals who have lapsed or inactive licenses or certifications may have their single-state license or certification reinstated if they submit a reinstatement application and fee proscribed by their respective licensing boards and meet the qualifications for licensure or certification established by such Board, provided such license shall only be valid as long as this Order is in effect. The continuing qualifications as required for licensure or certification are hereby waived for those reinstated licensees as long as this Order remains in effect. It is strongly recommended any required fees be waived to the fullest extent possible; and
• C. Increase opportunities for students and recent graduates who are not yet fully licensed to practice.  Any license or certificate issued pursuant to such Emergency Rules or this Order shall only be valid for as long as this Order is in effect. Further, any retired physician who returns to practice to provide assistance with the State’s response to COVID-19 shall register with the Medical Reserve Corps.
• 2. As long as this Executive Order is in effect a licensed physician shall be able to supervise any number of Physician Assistants, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, and Nurse Practitioners, and shall be able to supervise the Physician Assistants, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and Nurse Practitioners using remote or telephonic means.