States consider loosening restrictions on physician assistants.

The Wall Street Journal (2/4, A3, Beck, Subscription Publication, 2.29M) reports on the debate that some states are facing over what physician assistants and similar midlevel health professionals will be permitted to do. PAs are licensed to practice medicine, but limited to what their advising doctor permits them in adherence to their state's rules. The demand for PAs is increasing, especially in primary care and in rural areas, and will continue to increase as more Americans receive coverage due to the Affordable Care Act. Now, some PAs, especially those in Kentucky, which has the strictest PA regulations in the country, are seeking reforms to expand their responsibilities.