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


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1264
77R8110 GJH-DBy: Haywood
Health & Human Services
3/28/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, 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.  As
proposed, S.B. 1264 provides that a physician assistant is the medical
agent of a supervising physician in order to help eliminate confusion in
the minds of various administrators, payors, and regulators. 

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.