CMS’ $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program expedited South Dakota’s plan to join the PA licensure compact, according to the American Academy of Physician Associates.
The federal rural health program examined each state’s scope of practice laws to determine its allotment of the $50 billion fund, with an explicit focus on the PA licensure compact. The compact removes the requirement for physician assistants and physician associates to obtain licensure in each state they practice.
In late December, CMS awarded South Dakota nearly $190 million through the rural health fund, making it the 38th-highest recipient among states. On March 9, South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden signed H.B. 1146 into law, allowing the state to join 22 others in the compact.
“The Rural Health Transformation Program created an opportunity to pursue the PA Compact earlier than expected, with significant support from Governor Rhoden and the South Dakota Department of Health,” Kayla Frank, legislative chair of the South Dakota Academy of PAs, said in a March 10 AAPA news release.
Ten other states are considering bills to join the compact, which takes 18-24 months to become fully operational after a state legislature greenlights its participation, according to the AAPA.
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