Bill in South Carolina Senate could give more flexibility to Physician Assistants

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - Recent data finds that South Carolinians are waiting more than a month for a doctor’s appointment, which is higher than the national average.

The new Harris Poll, conducted by the American Academy of Physician Associates, highlights some problems and possible solutions in the state.

The poll also found that a majority of patients said that physician associates/physician assistants, or PAs, make it easier to get an appointment. Data also shows that two-thirds of patients would also trust a PA to serve as their primary healthcare provider.

A bill currently in the South Carolina Senate would give PAs even more flexibility to provide care.

“Hopefully by passing this bill we can eliminate some of the barriers that PAs face, you know currently we practice all over the state in hospital settings, outpatient clinic settings, and we find that patients don’t have access to primary care in particular,” said Dustin Hayes, a PA in Marion County.

The bill encourages updated practice laws for PAs in the state, giving PAs the ability to meet patient needs in the healthcare workforce. The Harris Poll found that nearly 70% of South Carolina patients are concerned about those shortages impacting their families and themselves.

As of Friday, the bill remains in the committee stage and has not been brought up for a vote.

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