Venkat and Marcell introduce legislation to ease restrictions on physician assistants; add PA to a health professional interstate compact

Rep. Arvind Venkat    January 9, 2025 | 4:50 PM

HARRISBURG, Jan. 9 – State Reps. Arvind Venkat and Kristin Marcell have introduced bills that would enhance licensure flexibility for physician assistants related to their supervising physicians and allow Pennsylvania to join an interstate medical compact.

The legislative package, H.B. 75 and H.B. 76, would amend the physician licensure acts in Pennsylvania to allow physician assistants to work with either classification of physician -- a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine -- without having to align with the physician’s license type. Current law requires that physician assistants and supervising physicians must be licensed by the same state board.

“Something as innocuous as red tape can mean the difference between life and death for patients, and it’s my duty as a physician-legislator to eliminate such unnecessary barriers,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “Representative Marcell and I are steadfast in our resolve to get these bills signed into law and safeguard the health of all Pennsylvanians.”

“This legislation is a practical step toward reducing administrative burdens, allowing physician assistants and their supervising doctors to collaborate more effectively for the benefit of patients," Marcell, R-Bucks, added. "By streamlining licensing requirements, we can help healthcare professionals dedicate more time to delivering high-quality care and less time navigating unnecessary red tape.”

House Bill 80 would authorize Pennsylvania to join the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact. To date, 34 states have joined the ASLP-IC, including Delaware, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia.

“Audiologists and speech-language pathologists provide invaluable services to Pennsylvanians and all Americans, and they deserve to be supported as well,” Venkat said. “Our bill helps ensure their ability to practice in any of the sponsoring states and provide outstanding care.”

“This legislation will help expand access to critical care by enabling audiologists and speech-language pathologists to practice across state lines more easily," Marcell said. "By joining this compact, Pennsylvania will not only address the growing demand for these essential services but also ensure patients receive the specialized care they need without unnecessary delays or barriers."

The two physician assistant bills passed the state House unanimously in the previous legislative session.