State

PA Practice Flexibility & Scope

• SDPA supports legislation expanding scope of practice and flexibility, as well as increased understanding towards the Physician Associate title. SDPA also supports the extension of federal works compensation benefits to care overseen by PAs. 

Utilization Management & Copay Reform

• In addition to supporting Federal reform, SDPA advocates for state-based legislation aimed at streamlining and limiting utilization management practices, as well as ensuring that all copays count towards patient’s cost sharing requirements.

Prescription Drug Affordability Boards

• Prescription Drug Affordability Boards (PDABs) are relatively new concepts that some states have begun to implement to lower drug expenditures on behalf of the state. Similar to the IRA’s drug price negotiation reform, PDABs can do this by placing upper payment limits (UPLs) on medications that cost the state a significant amount. However, there are several unintended consequences that can result from these UPLs. These include non-medical switching as well as difficulty for providers to be reimbursed for prescriber-administered medications. SDPA will ensure that the PA and patient voice is being heard when discussing upper payment limits and continue to highlight the impact of non-medical switching.

Alternative Funding Programs

• • Alternative funding programs (AFPs) are programs which divert charitable funds away from manufacturers in an attempt to lower the cost for employer plans. Besides being investigated by several government agencies, these programs make it increasingly difficult for employees to navigate coverage and understand benefits. SDPA supports legislation that aims to reform and increase transparency regarding AFPs and the charitable funds they divert away.