The House Health Policy Committee heard testimony from stakeholders on legislation to establish a Physician Assistant (PA) Licensure Compact in the state and Occupational Therapy (OT) Licensure Compact bills were voted to the House floor during the week of April 14.
House Bill (HB) 4309, sponsored by Rep. Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River), would add Michigan into the PA Licensure Compact, which is an interstate licensure compact allowing PAs to practice in other states participating within the compact. Other states that belong to the compact include Ohio, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Minnesota, Virginia, Delaware, Tennessee, Maine, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Utah, Colorado, Montana and Washington. MHA member Mandy Shelast, president, Marshfield Medical Center- Dickinson, provided testimony in support of the legislation and shared how the compact would address specific logistical barriers in access to care at her facility in the Upper Peninsula.
HB 4103, sponsored by Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) and HB 4104, sponsored by Rep. Doug Wozniak (R-Shelby Township), were reported with recommendation to the House floor. These MHA supported bills create a licensure compact agreement for occupational therapists in the state. The MHA looks forward to continued movement on these bills that seek to improve workforce development and access to care.
Members with additional questions may reach out to Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.