On the recordDecember 15, 2010
As an original sponsor of this resolution, I rise in support of House Resolution 1600, supporting the critical role of the physician assistant profession and supporting the goals and ideals of National Physician Assistant Week. I would also like to thank Congresswoman Betty McCollum of Minnesota for bringing to our attention the important services physician assistants provide and congratulate her for getting this resolution to the floor. Physician assistants practice medicine under a physician's supervision. A PA's practice can include diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive care. On any given day, a PA could prescribe medication, order and interpret x-rays, attend surgery, give advice to patients, and may also have supervisory responsibilities. A PA is supervised by a physician, but at facilities where the physician is present for only a few days each week, the PA may be a patient's principal health care provider. This increases the flexibility of the medical profession and ensures patients have access to quality care.
