Laws + Legislation

Health Care Reform Takes a Twist:

PAs Fare Well in Both Bills, but What's Next?

AAPA Director of Federal Affairs Sandy Harding outlines the key components of both the House and Senate health reform bills, including provisions that directly affect PAs.

For more on federal advocacy issues, visit AAPA's Web site.

STAT

Haiti Earthquake Relief:

PAs Respond to Call for Aid

From the moment the magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti, PAs began looking for ways they could help. Many joined teams that traveled there to volunteer their medical expertise. Get links to some of their stories on PA Professional's blog PA Pro NOW, and look for more in the March issue of PA Professional.

Clinicians to Scale Mt. Kilimanjaro to Raise PH Awareness

Pittsburgh PA Jessica Lazar and two of her colleagues at Allegheny General Hospital are climbing one of the world's highest peaks to raise awareness for pulmonary hypertension. Because of the high altitude, the team will be able to experience the condition for themselves. The group is accepting sponsorships for their hike as a part of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association's Path to a Cure campaign.

Cover Story

Blood, Gore and Dorr

PA Helps Author Stephen King Scare Up Medical Facts

A family practice PA uses his medical know-how to help King tell his terrifying tales in gruesome detail. From their first collaboration in 1978's "The Stand" to 2009's "Under the Dome," King and Dorr have grown both in their professions and in their friendship.

Feature

PA Foundation / Baylor College of Medicine Community Health Navigator Program Launched

A new Physician Assistant Foundation partnership program funded by the Chevron Corporation brings health educators into refugee communities to save lives and remove barriers to care. Students from the Baylor PA program help assess the health needs of Burmese refugees in the Houston area, with the ultimate goal of expanding the program to other locations.

Feature

A Prescription to Prevent Unnecessary Overdose:

Restrictions on Withdrawal Drugs Put Patients at Risk

Buprenorphine saves the lives of patients with substance abuse issues, but under federal law PAs are not allowed to prescribe it. AAPA supports a change in this law.

e-Connections

Electronic CME with PDAs and Smart Phones

Lifelong Learning Made Easier

Get an overview of the latest electronic CME options in audio, text and video format that allow clinicians to log Category I CME hours right from their PDA or Smart Phone.