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.