s_hhs_2016a_2016-03-30t11:29:01z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/30/2016

12:13 PM -- SB 16-158



Senator Lundberg, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 16-158. The bill clarifies and expands the duties that a physician may delegate to a physician assistant within his or her scope of practice, including allowing physician assistants to:



• issue certain statements verifying a medical condition;

• obtain Level I accreditation in workers' compensation matters;

• qualify as providing direct access to a health care provider under health insurance plans in regards to several conditions where direct access is mandated in law;

• work under the direction and supervision of a podiatrist (up to four physician assistants per podiatrist) ;

• serve as a public health director for a county or district board of health; and

• issue certificates of immunization or medical exemptions to immunizations for K-12 and university students.



In addition, the bill requires that prescriptions for schedule II controlled substances issued by a physician assistant be imprinted with the name of the supervising physician or podiatrist. All other prescriptions issued by physician assistants must be imprinted with the name and address of the facility where the physician assistant practices.





12:15 PM -- Megan Towsend, Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants, testified in support of the bill.



12:17 PM -- Dr. Tamaan Osbourne-Roberts, Colorado Medical Society and Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Osbourne-Roberts responded to questions from the committee.



12:21 PM -- Dan Sung, Division of Workers' Compensation, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, commented on the bill.



12:23 PM -- Cindy Sovine Miller, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



12:24 PM



Senator Lundberg discussed amendment L.001 (Attachment C).



160330 AttachC.pdf

12:34 PM



Senator Crowder adjourned the meeting.