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The Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants is excited to report that House Bill 135 has passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 91-1

We’re excited to announce that Rep. Steve Sheldon’s House Bill 135, modified prescriptive authority for Physician Assistants, has passed the House Health and Family Services Committee unanimously. This is an important first step in the legislative process and we could not have done it without the hard work of PA advocates, like you, across the commonwealth.

As you know KAPA leadership has been working diligently on advancing HB135, modified prescriptive authority for Physician Assistants in Kentucky. Our will bill likely be heard in the House Health and Family Services Committee, and we need every single PA in Kentucky to reach out to their legislators and ask them to bring HB135 to a vote. Fortunately we have a handy guide on how to make your voice heard!

The KAPA Board of Directors is pleased to announce a new lobbying partnership with Top Shelf Lobby, a well-renowned Kentucky firm lead by Marc Wilson.

“The Top Shelf Lobby team is excited about the opportunity to work with the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants.” said Marc Wilson, partner at Top Shelf Lobby. “The health care industry is one of the most complicated industries there is—and tackling complicated issues is where our team rises above the rest.”

Registration Now Open for the 43^rd Annual KAPA CME Symposium

Make plans now to join your friends and colleagues October 24-26, 2019, at the Lexington Convention Center for the 43^rd Annual KAPA CME Symposium.

REGISTER NOW and save! The registration rates will increase $75 on Friday, September 20th (students can save an extra $25). KAPA members receive a further discounted rate, so if you're not yet a member, consider joining to take full advantage of the savings! (Members: Make sure you are logged in to receive the special rate!)

After a long, hard-fought advocacy battle, we are disappointed to report that due to constitutional time restraints and a lack of political will, Kentucky Senate Leadership has decided to once again block the movement of House Bill 93. We know the below message is lengthy, but we encourage you to take a moment to read it in its entirety to fully understand where we are and where we plan to be in the future.

As the momentum picked up during the legislative session kicking off in January, KAPA had at least seven representatives from our Government Affairs team in Frankfort almost every day meeting with legislators and stakeholders. Every legislator we met with gave us their full support and indicated we would find similar support once our bill made it to the full House for a vote.

On April 2, 2018 Governor Matt Bevin signed HB 81 into law which amends KRS 189.456 to include physician assistants on the list of licensed professionals allowed to issue temporary accessible parking placards.

A special thank you to Representatives Jerry Miller (R) and Wesley Morgan (R) who sponsored this important legislation for PAs.

On April 2, 2018 HB 497, which amends KRS 202A.011 to include physician assistants on the list of individuals able to serve as qualified mental health professionals, was signed by signed by the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate and delivered to Governor for signature. The bill was signed into law on April 13, 2018 by Governor Matt Bevin.

A special thank you to Representatives Daniel Elliott (R) and Steve Riggs (D) who sponsored this important legislation for PAs.

Lexington, KY., February 10, 2017 – As the only state currently not allowing patients to take advantage of PAs (physician assistants) training in prescribing medications the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants (KAPA) is actively supporting Senate Bill 55, which will allow PAs to prescribe Schedule II-V medications.

Frank Romanelli, Pharm.D., MPH, FAPhA, BCPS, AAHIVP, Professor of Pharmacy and Associate Dean at the University of Kentucky applauded the proposed measure citing the fact that, “PA students receive extensive clinical training on how to diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries by knowledgably administering controlled medications.”