New Hampshire PAs Achieve Optimal Team Practice (OTP)
Gov. Sununu Signs HB 1222 into Law
July 24, 2024
Today, Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire signed HB 1222 into law. The legislation eliminates the requirement that PAs have collaboration agreements with physicians, except for PAs who have completed fewer than 8,000 hours of clinical practice and work in a healthcare setting that does not employ a physician.
With the signing of this law, New Hampshire has achieved Optimal Team Practice (OTP). To achieve full OTP status, states must eliminate the legal requirement for a specific relationship between a PA, physician, or any other healthcare provider in order for a PA to practice to the full extent of their education, training and experience; create a separate majority-PA board to regulate PAs or add PAs and physicians who work with PAs to medical or healing arts boards; and authorize PAs to be eligible for direct payment by all public and private insurers.
“The instances of PAs in New Hampshire losing their jobs, being unable to be hired, or unable to see their patients because of an outdated licensure requirement continues to grow. This has left hundreds of patients without a provider. Meanwhile, larger healthcare operations continue to see their patients wait weeks or months before accessing care,” said NHSPA President Malcolm Hauthaway, PA-C.
“We’re pleased and relieved the legislature, led by Representatives David Rochefort and Jess Edwards, took decisive, bipartisan action to remove this archaic licensure requirement. Now that Governor Sununu has signed HB 1222 into law, PAs across the state will now be able to maximize their ability to address the healthcare workforce shortage and boost access to care statewide.”
The elimination of administrative constraints for PAs in New Hampshire will better mobilize the healthcare workforce, improve team-based care, and increase access to care for patients.
“As 2024 state legislative sessions near an end, this is a significant victory to add to the list of our profession’s wins for the year,” said AAPA President and Chair of the Board Jason Prevelige, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA. “With the removal of unnecessary supervisory requirements, New Hampshire PAs will be positioned to expand patient care and support our profession’s call to modernize PA laws across the country.”
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