Kathleen Moneghan, DHA, MPAS, PA-C, is a physician assistant currently practicing in Dover-Foxcroft and Bangor. She is also board president of the Maine Academy of Physician Associates.

Each year, during PA Week (Oct. 6-12), we’re reminded of the contributions of the nearly 190,000 physician associates/assistants (PAs) who care for patients every day.

The impact of PAs is felt daily — in clinics, homes, urgent care centers and hospitals — where we work hard to deliver high-quality, accessible care.  

This year, PA Week presents a timely opportunity to highlight the changes to law Maine has made in recent years that will empower our state’s PAs to continue our efforts to expand health care access.

With wide support from our state legislature, Maine was one of the earliest states to enter the PA Licensure Compact. The PA Compact is an optional agreement between states that will allow PAs with a license in a compact member state to more easily become authorized to practice in any other member state. This will reduce time and cost burdens for PAs to engage in multistate practice, whether in person or by telemedicine — ultimately, improving access during a time when our health care workforce is stretched thin.

In addition, Maine is also the second state to officially change the profession title from physician assistant to physician associate — a change that took effect on Sept. 24. Title change is more than merely a name change — it represents and reinforces the PA profession’s role as critical health care providers and more accurately reflects the level of education and training held by PAs.  

This PA Week, I express sincere gratitude for the support of Rep. Kristen Cloutier of the bill, LD 1166, and others who recognized the need for this legislation and helped us secure passage.

These legislative successes are proven to be even more critical now with CMS using PA state practice environment and PA Compact legislation as part of its scoring methodology in determining funding through its $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, incentivizing states that allow PAs to practice to the full extent of their education and training.

For me, a PA for over 10 years, this week is also an annual reminder of why I became a PA. One of the fastest growing professions, PAs are committed to making a difference in health care. We are highly trained clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting and are grounded in our dedication to expanding access to care and providing patient-centered care in team-based settings.

In Maine, particularly in rural and medically underserved areas, we as PAs often serve as the bridge between patients and the care they need. In fact, 30.2% of Maine PAs serve in rural areas.

Having a PA on a health care team can be the difference between a patient receiving timely care or waiting weeks, sometimes even months, for an appointment. In many cases, PAs are often the first provider a patient sees.

According to a 2023 Harris Poll survey, 90% of respondents view PAs as trusted health care providers and 91% see PAs as part of the solution to address the shortage of health care providers. 

PA Week is an opportunity to spotlight the essential role PAs play in shaping a more efficient health care system and the need to continue updating our state PA laws until Maine PAs are empowered to work at the top of their scope.