BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 337
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Date of Hearing: July 8, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
SB 337
(Pavley) - As Amended June 16, 2015
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: YesReimbursable:
No
SUMMARY:
This bill modifies the allowable methods a physician may use to
supervise a physician assistant. Specifically, this bill:
SB 337
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1)Authorizes a physician supervising a physician assistant (PA)
to use two additional mechanisms for the general supervision
of a PA, in place of the current-law requirement to review 5%
of patient charts, namely, medical review meetings or a
physician-approved protocol with minimum standards.
2)Authorizes a physician to use one additional mechanism for the
supervision of a PA that administers a Schedule II controlled
substance in place of the current-law requirement to
countersign each prescription, namely, review and
countersignature of a 20% sample.
3)Requires a PA's patient medical records to identify the PA's
supervising physician.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Minor and absorbable costs to the Physician Assistant Board
(PAB) within the Medical Board of California to conform to the
new supervision options (Physician Assistant Fund).
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. This bill adds different supervision options in an
attempt to streamline the physician/PA workflow while still
ensuring patient protection. The new options recognize
current care delivery models and electronic medical records
review. In addition, the bill allows a sample of
prescriptions for Schedule II drugs to be reviewed, instead of
each prescription. The bill is sponsored by the California
Academy of Physician Assistants.
SB 337
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2)Background. A PA may provide medical services pursuant to a
delegation of services agreement with a physician. As of June
2013, there were about 9,000 active PA licenses in California.
The recent reclassification of hydrocodone as a Schedule II
drug has resulted in significant workload for physicians to
review each prescription, and changing care delivery models
have prompted a reconsideration of current supervision
requirements.
3)Opposition. The Medical Board of California opposes the
reduction in physician supervision of Schedule II drugs, which
are prone to abuse.
Analysis Prepared by:Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916)
319-2081