Legislation enters Michigan into the Physicians Assistants Licensure Compact

State Rep. Dave Prestin on Tuesday spearheaded the passage of his plan to help underserved and rural communities by addressing healthcare worker shortages. The legislation, which passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support, would attract physician assistants (PAs) to Michigan by entering the state into a nationwide compact.

“Communities across Michigan are facing critical healthcare shortages,” said Prestin, R-Cedar River. “While the crisis-level lack of staffing and funding can’t be solved overnight, this plan is the first of several meaningful steps we can take to improve the situation. By entering the PA compact, we’re removing barriers for healthcare workers looking to relocate to Michigan. When more PAs live and work in Michigan, more people will have access to healthcare services.”

House Bill 4309 would enter Michigan into the Physician Assistants Licensure Compact. PAs living within compact states can practice under the same license, meaning PAs from across the country could move to Michigan for work without having to undergo a lengthy licensure process.

Current compact members include Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

“Getting this done is critical for our residents living along the Michigan—Wisconsin border in the Upper Peninsula,” Prestin said. “Entering the compact removes the barrier of requiring a second license for PAs to practice across the border, which will ensure continuity of care for patients and strengthen access to healthcare.”

The plan now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

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