Oklahoma lawmakers have overridden Gov. Kevin Stitt’s veto of a bill expanding physician assistant authority, allowing PAs with more than 6,240 hours of experience to practice without a physician agreement.
The law, HB 2584, also grants PAs expanded prescribing authority, including Schedule II medications. Supporters say the change could improve access to care, particularly in rural areas where physician shortages are acute, according to a Sept.8 KFOR report.
“We graduate over 200 PAs every year and more than 30% move out of state because of restrictive laws,” said Donald Guthrie, a PA and president of the Oklahoma Academy of Physician Associates in Oklahoma City. He said the legislation, which took about five years to pass, could help retain providers and improve care access across the state, according to the report.
