Pennsylvania’s governor signs into law legislation modifying supervision of physician assistants (PAs). California’s governor signs into law a bill that issues temporary fluoroscopy permits to physicians. Additionally, state legislatures deliberate PA and nurse practitioner (NP) supervision and coverage of supplemental breast cancer screening.
Scope of Practice
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 356 into law. The law will authorize the State Department of Public Health to issue a physician or doctor of podiatric medicine a one-time, temporary permit to operate or supervise the operation of fluoroscopic X-ray equipment if the permit holder meets specified criteria, including attesting under penalty of perjury of having at least 40 hours of experience using the equipment.
The California chapter supported AB 356.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill (SB) 398 into law. The law will remove personal supervision of PAs and increase the number of PAs to be supervised from four to six.
In Massachusetts, House Bill (HB) 2241 and HB 2229 will be heard before the Joint Committee on Public Health. HB 2241 would prohibit any person from using the title ''physician'' unless that person is registered by the Board of Registration in Medicine as a physician. This would not apply to the titles chiropractic physician, podiatric physician or physician assistant. HB 2229 seeks to change supervision of PAs to a collaborative agreement.
In Michigan, state Sen. Rick Outman introduced SB 680. The bill seeks to permit NPs to order, perform, supervise and interpret imaging studies.
The Michigan Radiological Society is opposed to the measure.
Breast Cancer Screening
In Ohio, HB 371 will be heard before the Committee on Families, Aging, and Human Services. HB 371 would expand coverage of supplemental breast cancer screening to include magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound or molecular breast imaging. Insurers would be required to cover:
• One mammography screening every year, including digital breast tomosynthesis.
• Supplemental breast cancer screening for an adult woman who meets the following conditions:
o Dense breast tissue, based on the breast imaging reporting and data system established by the American College of Radiology® (ACR®).
o Increased risk of breast cancer due to family history, prior personal history of breast cancer, ancestry, genetic predisposition or other reasons as determined by the woman's healthcare provider.
The Ohio Radiological Society supports the bill and will provide testimony at the hearing.
Nurse Compact
In Massachusetts, HB 2323 will be heard before the Joint Committee on Public Health. The bill would establish a special commission to examine joining a Nurse Licensure Compact and/or the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.
For more information about state legislative issues, please contact Tina Getachew or Eugenia Brandt. To stay current on state legislative developments relevant to radiology, view the ACR policy map.