Commentaries on Health Services Research

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2015

Publisher

American Academy of Physician Assistants

Source Publication

Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants

Source ISSN

1547-1896

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000465232.59384.6f

Abstract

“Bending the cost curve” for healthcare services in the United States challenges policy makers. A cost analysis was undertaken based on what would occur if more physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) per capita were deployed over a 10-year period. The state of Alabama was used as a case study because it is one of a handful of states with restrictive legislation affecting PA and NP scope of practice. Changing PA and NP scope of practice legislation in Alabama to match states in the upper quartile of collaborative legislation, such as Washington and Arizona, would increase the employment and distribution of PAs and NPs. Even modest changes in legislation will result in a net savings of $729 million over the 10-year period. Underuse of PAs and NPs due to restrictive licensure reduces the cost benefits of increasing the supply of PAs and NPs and reducing the reliance on a stagnant supply of primary care physicians to meet society's healthcare needs.

Comments

Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Vol. 28, No. 6 (June 2015). DOI.

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