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.