- Star Grassroots Advocates
- On April 6 and 7, more than 80 students and faculty from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, University of Colorado, and MGH Institute of Health Professions PA programs participated in PAEA’s first virtual Spring Advocacy Event. During this event, participants advocated on behalf of the Perinatal Workforce Act and the Physician Assistant Higher Education Modernization Act. Thank you for your advocacy!
- Advancing PAEA’s Advocacy Agenda
- In late April, the Biden administration released updated practice guidelines for the use of buprenorphine as treatment for opioid use disorder. Under these guidelines, PAs and other clinicians interested in prescribing buprenorphine for up to 30 patients simultaneously are no longer required to complete 24 hours of training to obtain an X waiver. This training will still be required for those interested in treating more than 30 patients.
- Throughout April, PAEA’s Government Relations staff conducted introductory meetings with members of the freshmen class of the 117th Congress to provide educational materials on PA education and advocate for the Physician Assistant Higher Education Modernization Act.
- Health Care News in Washington
- President Biden announced his nominee for the position of Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use in April. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, the current Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, will be considered by the Senate for this role in the coming weeks.
- On April 28, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee held a hearing on the impact of COVID-19 on the pre-existing substance use disorder epidemic.
- Opportunities for Action
- PAEA is continuing its campaign for workforce diversity by urging members of Congress to cosponsor and pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. If you have not already done so, please send a message to your representatives urging them to do so today.
34