INFORMATION FOR EMPLOYERS

• Addresses Provider Shortages: Wisconsin faces a significant physician workforce gap and recent hospital closures. Expanding PA practice helps maintain access to care, particularly in underserved communities.
   
• Supports Workforce Retention & Recruitment: Employers who embrace modern PA practice models will have a competitive edge in hiring and retaining top talent.
   
• Protects Patient Access: By recognizing experienced PAs, the Act ensures timely, safe care when physician availability is limited.
   

• National Title Adoption: Updates to our nationally recognized title, Physician Associate.
   
• Preserves Existing Pathways: Existing practice pathways will remain fully intact for PAs and employers who prefer those models.
   
• Adds a New Optional Pathway:
   
  • Autonomous Practice – available only to the most experienced PAs (7,680+ hours) who have completed collaborative mentorship, maintained physician relationships, and participated in quality review programs.
     
• Parity with Nurse Practitioners: Many employers already deploy NPs and PAs interchangeably in clinical practice. This bill helps restore long sought-after parity by giving PAs a comparable pathway while preserving employer choice.
   
• Safety Maintained: Existing statutory guardrails remain in place for all PAs. PAs remain subject to malpractice coverage and must document quality assurance oversight.
   

The Act introduces a structured career ladder:

• Early Career: Practice under supervision or collaboration, building skills with expert guidance.
   
• Mentorship: Gain thousands of hours of experience in structured, team-based care.
   
• Advanced Practice: Only eligible, experienced PAs may progress to the autonomous pathway, expanding their ability to serve patients while maintaining safety.
   

This progression is optional — it creates new opportunities without changing the roles of PAs or employers who prefer the current models. Employers retain the statutory right to impose additional requirements.

• Flexibility: Choose the practice model that best fits your setting — supervision, collaboration, or autonomous practice for highly experienced PAs.
   
• Workforce Parity: Employers who use NPs and PAs interchangeably will gain consistency across roles, reducing administrative complexity and recruitment challenges.
   
• Stronger Teams: PAs can take on more responsibility, allowing physicians to focus on complex cases.
   
• Improved Recruitment & Retention: Career progression attracts ambitious PAs and enhances long-term job satisfaction.
   
• Community Stability: Helps keep service lines and clinics open in areas hit hardest by provider shortages.
   

• Support the Wisconsin PA Modernization effort.
   
• Contact your legislators to share how PAs strengthen your workforce and protect patient care.
   
• Work with your PAs to highlight stories of mentorship, teamwork, and access.