Capitol News

State Representative Dave Prestin has advanced a legislative proposal aimed at addressing healthcare worker shortages in underserved and rural communities in Michigan. The proposed legislation, which received strong bipartisan support in the House, seeks to attract physician assistants (PAs) by integrating Michigan into a nationwide compact.

"Communities across Michigan are facing critical healthcare shortages," stated Prestin, R-Cedar River. "While the crisis-level lack of staffing and funding can’t be solved overnight, this plan is the first of several meaningful steps we can take to improve the situation. By entering the PA compact, we’re removing barriers for healthcare workers looking to relocate to Michigan. When more PAs live and work in Michigan, more people will have access to healthcare services."

House Bill 4309 aims to include Michigan in the Physician Assistants Licensure Compact. This inclusion would allow PAs from other compact states to practice in Michigan under their existing licenses without undergoing an additional licensure process.

The current members of this compact are Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

"Getting this done is critical for our residents living along the Michigan—Wisconsin border in the Upper Peninsula," added Prestin. "Entering the compact removes the barrier of requiring a second license for PAs to practice across the border, which will ensure continuity of care for patients and strengthen access to healthcare."

The legislation now proceeds to the Senate for further deliberation.