2021 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

TAPA is pleased to report that our bill to create an independent Board of Physician Assistants passed both the Tennessee House of Representatives and the Senate and was signed by the governor on May 26. The new Board of PAs has been set up, and the five PAs who served on COPA have transitioned to the new board. The governor's office will be filling the remaining new positions in the coming months.

TAPA remains committed to removing access to care barriers for patients and improving the regulation of the PA profession. While establishing an independent Board of PAs is an important first step, there is still a lot of work to do to modernize the PA Practice Act to reflect how PAs are currently practicing medicine in a team-based environment.

How can Tennessee PAs help?

1. Be a member of TAPA. Your membership dues help fund the Academy's activities, including hiring lobbyists and PR firms. 

2. Contribute to TAPA's Political Action Committee (PAC). TAPA's PAC makes donations to legislators and candidates who support PA practice. Running a successful campaign is expensive, and TAPA needs to support those candidates who support us. Consider setting up a monthly contribution that adds up to significant support by the end of the year.

3. Attend TAPA's PA Day on the Hill. The next one is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. Put that on your calendar, ask for the day off from work, and plan to join your colleagues in Nashville as they lobby for change.

The Tennessee General Assembly has adjourned for the year. They will reconvene on Jan. 11, 2022, and TAPA has a lot of work to do before then. Stay tuned!