SRC-CTC S.B. 1264 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1264
By: Haywood
Health & Human Services
5/21/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

State law implies, but does not explicitly state, that a physician
assistant (PA) provides medical care as an agent of the supervising
physician.  Due to the ambiguity surrounding this team relationship,
confusion and administrative barriers have arisen on the part of various
insurers, hospital administrators, and regulatory agencies.  S.B. 1264
provides that a physician assistant is the medical agent of a supervising
physician. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 204.202, Occupations Code, to provide that a
physician assistant is the agent of the physician assistant's supervising
physician for any medical services that are delegated by that physician,
and that meet certain criteria. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.