![Rep. Paul Harris, House Bill 1073, medical assistants, Washington State Legislature, House of Representatives, medical assistant-certified interim permit, 2023 legislative session, Washington State, Clark County](https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Large_Clark-County-Today-Rep.-Paul-Harris-bill-to-expand-medical-assistants-responsibilities-unanimously-passes-the-House.jpg)
House Bill 1073 would do several things, including extend the expiration of a medical assistant-certified interim permit to the issuance of a medical assistant-certified certification
A bipartisan bill from Rep. Paul Harris that would help increase access to certain medical care and procedures is one step closer to becoming law after a unanimous “yes” vote from the Washington State House of Representatives Wednesday.
House Bill 1073 would do several things, including extend the expiration of a medical assistant-certified interim permit to the issuance of a medical assistant-certified certification.
It would also allow an individual who has applied for a medical assistant-phlebotomist credential, and has completed the training program, to work under the level of supervision required for the training program, up to 180 days after filing their application.
“This bill would help reduce discrepancies in supervision and licensing requirements between Washington and Oregon and help improve access to medical care,” said Harris, R-Vancouver. “Medicine today involves so many different professionals and practitioners, and they all need to be able to operate at the highest level.”
HB 1073 would also allow a medical assistant-certified to establish intravenous lines under the supervision of a health care practitioner if certain minimum standards are met.
Furthermore, it would authorize a medical assistant-registered to prepare patients for, and assist with, examinations, procedures, treatments, and minor office surgeries that use minimal sedation.
“This bill addresses our state’s workforce shortage. It would make more people available to do important jobs, like drawing blood, administering intravenous injections, and giving medications,” added Harris. “It would allow physician assistants to complete certain tasks without direct visual supervision, which is a more efficient way to operate.”
The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
Information provided by Washington State House Republicans, houserepublicans.wa.gov
Also read:
- Opinion: OIC tells consumers not to pay for ‘insurance’ you won’t likely benefit from: Does that include WA Cares?Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center believes you should consider yourself warned by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner about WA Cares and its maybe-only benefit.
- Opinion: Same road, different speed limit?Target Zero Manager Doug Dahl addresses a question about speed limit signs going into and leaving town.
- Progress being made at GRO Parade of Homes siteThe 2024 GRO Parade of Homes, presented by the Building Industry Association of Clark County, is a little more than a month away, and builders are busy completing the luxury homes before the big event, scheduled for Sept. 6 through 22 in Felida.
- Has trust in the media tanked over coverage of President Biden’s decline?After President Joe Biden’s calamitous debate performance against former President Donald Trump, and days after Biden’s decision Sunday not to seek reelection, there are still many questions about how the news media covered Biden’s mental and physical decline.
- Opinion: Hiding the growing cost of the Interstate Bridge replacementJoe Cortright of the City Observatory addresses the rising cost of the Interstate 5 Bridge replacement project.
- Letter: ‘This election I am NOT voting for Greg Cheney’Clark County resident Wynn Grcich shares her thoughts on Rep. Greg Cheney and the issue of fluoridation in area drinking water.
- Major gas line leak closes major arterial in Clark CountyFirefighters from Clark County Fire District 6 responded Thursday (July 25) afternoon to the scene of a major natural gas leak on NE 99th Street, directly in front of Columbia River High School.