A Tennessee committee holds a hearing about breast cancer screening. Arizona, Colorado and Missouri legislatures advance bills that would expand the scope of practice for physician assistants (PAs).
Breast Cancer Screening
In California, Senate Bill (SB) 974 was referred to the Committee on Health. If enacted, the bill would require carriers issued, amended or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2023, to cover without cost sharing medically necessary diagnostic breast imaging, including diagnostic breast imaging following an abnormal mammography result. Diagnostic breast imaging would include breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and breast ultrasound.
The California Radiological Society supports the measure.
In Missouri, SB 1166 had its first reading in the Senate. If enacted, the bill would require carriers issued, amended or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2023, to cover breast cancer diagnostic examinations, and cost-sharing requirements must be as favorable as those for low-dose mammography screenings.
The Missouri Radiological Society is monitoring the measure.
In Tennessee, SB 2771 will be heard before the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and Labor. If enacted, the bill would require carriers that provide coverage to enrollees 35 years of age or older to cover annual breast screening by all forms of low-dose mammography, including breast tomosynthesis. Additionally, carriers that cover screening mammograms would be required to provide coverage for diagnostic imaging and supplemental breast screening, including breast MRI or breast ultrasound.
The Tennessee Radiological Society supports the bill and has worked with the bill sponsors drafting its language.
Scope Of Practice
In Arizona, the Health and Human Services Committee passed SB 1367. Bill sponsors seek to change the practice agreement between a PA and physician to a collaborative agreement.
In Colorado, House Bill (HB) 22-1095 passed the Health and Insurance Committee. The bill sponsors seek to permit PAs who have completed 3,000 or more practice hours to practice without physician supervision.
The Colorado Radiological Society opposes the bill.
In Hawaii, the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee passed SB 2445. The bill would expand the definition of a patient’s provider to include PAs.
In Missouri, SB 938 will be heard before the Senate Committee on Professional Registration. The bill seeks to permit an assistant physician to enter into a collaborative practice agreement with a physician if the assistant physician completes medical school and step two of the United States Medical Licensing Examination.
The Missouri Radiological Society is monitoring the measure.
Also in Missouri, SB 991 was referred to the Senate Committee on Professional Registration. If enacted, the bill would prohibit anyone from providing the services of a radiographer, nuclear medicine technologist, radiation therapist or limited X-ray machine operator unless they are certified by the Department of Health and Senior Services.
The Missouri Radiological Society supports the measure.
For more information about these bills or any other state legislative issue, contact Tina Getachew, Government Affairs Specialist.
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