SPRINGFIELD – To ensure more skilled health care professionals can practice in Illinois, State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes introduced legislation to better support the state’s physician assistant workforce and improve access to care.

“Too many Illinoisans are suffering adverse health effects because they have to wait to see health care providers,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This initiative will streamline the process of becoming a licensed physician assistant, decreasing the shortage in the health care workforce so that more people can get the care they need more quickly.”

According to a 2020 workforce report prepared by the Illinois Nursing Workforce Center, Illinois currently has a shortage of more than 15,000 nurses. With projections of a shortage of more than 6,000 doctors by 2030, patients could face significant delays in seeing a provider, which can negatively impact their health.  

To expand patients’ access to care, particularly for residents in his district on Chicago’s south and southwest side, Cervantes’ legislation would allow physician assistants with more than 2,000 clinical hours to practice without a supervising physician. With similar training as nurses and doctors, PAs can provide high-quality health care, but have run into difficulties getting their license approved due to a long, tedious paperwork approval process.

The Senate Licensed Activities Committee held a subject matter hearing on the initiative Wednesday, asking experts questions about how this measure would help Illinoisans.

"Today, leaders from the Illinois Academy of PAs proudly testified in support of SB271, legislation that modernizes PA practice in Illinois to better serve patients and strengthen the healthcare workforce,” said Timothy J. Kinsey, the Executive Director of the Illinois Academy of Physicians Assistants. “We thank the Senate Committee and Senator Cervantes for the opportunity to highlight how this bill will improve access to care, especially in underserved areas, and ensure that experienced PAs can practice to the full extent of their education and training. IAPA remains committed to advancing common-sense solutions that support collaborative, team-based care across our state."

Senate Bill 271 was heard in the Senate Licensed Activities Committee Wednesday.