Overview Of The Michigan Academy Of Physician Assistants (AAPA)

Every state in the US has an affiliated chapter branching from the national organization that advocates for all Physician Assistants, known as the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). The American Academy of Physician Assistants handles licensing requirements, networking opportunities, job resources, and provides tools to improve PA practice and patient care for each state and federal service chapter. These individual state affiliations branching from the AAPA are pertinent to the Physician Assistant profession because they allow for more direct and local resources for Physician Assistants. Having an individual state chapter makes it easier to find local jobs in the area and get answers to questions about each state law requirement.

It is the most influential source of insight for PA’s practicing in MI. Its purpose is to “encourage its members to abide by the AAPA code of ethical conduct”, “serve as a public information center with respect to its members, health professions, governments agencies, and the general public”, and “ represent its members in matters of legislation in order to maintain and further develop the practice of the profession” 2. Since the mid 1970s, MAPA has been an important advocator for its members and has not only worked on the improvement of working environments for physician assistants but is also involved in politicizing for enhancements in the scope of practice as well as raising a voice on actions that may impose a threat on the Physician Assistant occupation. At the turn of the century, the ‘Barriers to PA Practice’ list was created by MAPA in order to “overturn all of the antiquated laws disallowing PAs to practice in aspects of care or allowing negative interpretation by administrators of health plans and State agencies” 3. Since this list was created, many new public acts have been passed allowing physician assistants in Michigan to gain more independence. Some important advancements that occurred during this time included MAPA’s involvement in overturning office supervision guidelines insurances such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan imposed on physician assistants as well as overturning the insurances refusal to pay surgical PAs, Public Act 281 which allowed referrals from physician assistant to a physical therapist, and Public Acts 124-126 which approved Physician Assistants to be added to a “list of professionals able to form professional corporations (PC) and professional limited liability corporations (PLLC) and clarifies that physicians and