Committee Hears Bill to Allow Treatment by Physician Assistants

A Montana legislative committee on Friday heard testimony but did not vote on a bill that would allow physician assistants to treat injured workers without any restrictions or other requirements. House Bill 143, by Rep. Jodee Etchart, R-Billings, would eliminate statutory language that allows physician assistants to serve as the primary treating physician only when a licensed physician is not available. The bill would also remove similar language that limits physician assistants to conducting impairment evaluations only when physicians are not available. Etchart said she introduced the bill...