Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/02/2025 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB170 | |
| SB89 | |
| SB99 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 170 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 89 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 136 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 99 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 89-PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT SCOPE OF PRACTICE
2:27:11 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 89 "An Act relating to
physician assistants; relating to collaborative agreements
between physicians and physician assistants; relating to the
practice of medicine; relating to health care providers; and
relating to provisions regarding physician assistants in
contracts between certain health care providers and health care
insurers."
2:27:41 PM
MACKENZIE POPE, Staff, Senator Loki Tobin, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented a brief recap of SB 89.
She stated that as previously heard, SB 89 would modernize
Alaska's physician assistant statutes and update the
collaborative agreement structure governing their profession.
2:28:27 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 89.
2:29:05 PM
JANICE SHEUFELT, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, testified in
opposition to SB 89 and said she has supervised many physician
assistants (PAs) that value their work but believes patient
safety depends on PAs continuing to practice in collaboration
with physicians. She expressed concern that SB 89 would allow
inexperienced PAs to practice independently, potentially
reducing access to primary care and leading to unintended
consequences similar to those seen with independent nurse
practitioners.
2:31:41 PM
KRISTIN MITCHELL, M.D., President, Alaska State Medical
Association (ASMA), Soldotna, Alaska, testified in opposition to
SB 89. She said no physician group supports PA independence and
stressed the importance of physician-led, team-based care.
Studies showing comparable outcomes involved collaboration, not
solo practice. ASMA attributes access issues to physician
shortages, not PA rules, and favors revising, not removing,
collaboration. If independence advances, ASMA urges strict
limits, added supervision, and clear title rules.
2:34:43 PM
JAN DENAPOLI, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 89. She said rural care suffers from restrictive
collaboration rules that hinder PAs despite their medical-model
training. Unlike Nurse Practitioners (NPs), PAs face limits that
block them from serving underserved areas. SB 89 would let PAs
practice more independently, expanding rural healthcare access.
2:37:13 PM
KATHERINE VAN ATTA, representing self, Naknek, Alaska, testified
in support of SB 89. She explained that current PA collaboration
rules are impractical in remote Alaska. When PAs apply for
licensure, they must submit a collaborative plan listing two
physicians. PAs are then required to submit a Periodic Record of
Assessment requiring a four-hour face-to-face meeting that
disrupt physician schedules. Nurse practitioners face no such
restrictions despite similar training. SB 89 would create parity
with NPs and improve rural healthcare access.
2:39:30 PM
KATHERINE SCHNEIDER, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in support of SB 89. She has worked as a PA in Alaska
since 2002, often as the sole provider, consulting physicians as
needed. SB 89 would not change PA practice or scope but reduce
administrative burdens. She urged support to help recruit and
retain qualified providers in underserved areas.
2:41:25 PM
TAYLOR SHARMAN, representing self, Portland, Oregon, testified
in support of SB 89. She said SB 89 grants independent
licensure, not practice, keeping collaboration and oversight.
New graduates remain under agreements supervised by the medical
board. She highlighted Alaska's healthcare gaps and PAs' vital
role in rural areas. SB 89 lets PAs fully use their training
while ensuring patient safety.
2:43:47 PM
RILEY BENNETT-VOCKNER, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in support of SB 89. She said she often serves as the
sole provider in remote communities and said SB 89 enables
independent licensure, not practice. PAs already collaborate
effectively and know when to seek specialized care. Current
rules add administrative burdens without improving outcomes,
hindering rural staffing. She said independent licensure would
ease these barriers and help retain experienced providers to
address shortages.
2:46:27 PM
MOLLY SOUTHWORTH, M.D., representing self, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in opposition to SB 89. She supported SB 89's
amendments and shared research showing Alaska's shift from
primary care to specialty care. From 20022021, specialists grew
13 times faster than general physicians, and PAs in primary care
fell from 47 percent to 43 percent. She said low pay,
administrative burdens, and burnoutnot licensingdrive this
trend. She urged lawmakers to pursue broader solutions like the
AMPA HQ proposal to expand access to quality care.
2:49:22 PM
HELEN ADAMS, M.D., representing self, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in opposition to SB 89. She acknowledged Alaska's
limited healthcare access and PA administrative burdens. She
said SB 89 doesn't reflect ASMA's 2024 workgroup efforts and
supports ASMA's amendments, including 10,000 hours for
independent licensure. She emphasized clear surgical practice
rules and warned of possible patient confusion over professional
titles.
2:51:36 PM
KELSEY CAIN, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 89. PA training has advanced, but outdated laws
still require unnecessary collaboration. SB 89 keeps teamwork
central while modernizing oversight. SB 89 seeks parity with
nurse practitioners to expand access to care. PAs already serve
across Alaska, often in remote areas with few physicians. SB 89
ensures sustainable, effective healthcare for Alaskans.
2:53:54 PM
LEIGH COOPER, D.O., representing self, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in opposition to SB 89. She stated that as a former
critical care nurse with 20,000 hours of experience that didn't
go towards hours needed for medical training. She completed over
11,000 hours of medical training to become a physician. Alaska
requires at least two years of residency for independent
practice and three for board certification. This rigorous
process ensures high-quality care. She argued physician
assistants lack equivalent training for equal licensure.
2:56:16 PM
JENNIFER FAYETTE, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in support of SB 89. She said the bill modernizes
outdated PA supervision laws to improve workforce efficiency and
healthcare access. SB 89 cuts red tape, reduces clinic costs,
and supports rural care. Similar reforms in other states
expanded access without compromising safety. Alaska should do
the same to strengthen the healthcare system.
2:58:40 PM
JACQUELYN SERRANO, M.D., representing self, Nome, Alaska,
testified in opposition to SB 89. She acknowledged the valuable
work of PAs, but expressed concern that inexperienced PAs could
be unprepared in rural settings. She argued PAs should meet a
10,000-hour experience standard and opposed unsupervised
practice without oversight.
3:00:07 PM
DANIELS REYNOLDS, M.D., representing self, Lees Summit, MO,
testified in support of SB 89. He praised Alaska's physician
assistants as highly trained professionals who provide excellent
care and improve health outcomes. He argued that opposition from
physician organizations is financially motivated and emphasized
that expanding PA roles would increase access, affordability,
and quality of care across the state.
3:02:04 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN held SB 89 in committee.