Legislation Signed by Maine Governor Mills Will Optimize PA Workforce, Expand Patient Access to Care

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Legislation Signed by Maine Governor Mills Will Optimize PA Workforce, Expand Patient Access to Care

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (April 6, 2026) - The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) applauds Maine Governor Janet Mills for signing LD 2088 into law and establishing an optimal practice environment for the state's more than 1,100 physician associates (PAs).

Once enacted, this law will ensure Maine's PA workforce is fully mobilized in efforts to increase patient access to care.

By removing an unnecessary requirement for PAs with more than 4,000 hours of practice to have an on-paper agreement with a physician, experienced PAs will be unencumbered and more readily meet patient needs.

"The passage of LD 2088 marks a significant milestone for healthcare access in Maine and is a critical step forward for our Maine patients," said Maine Academy of Physician Associates (MEAPA) President Kathleen Moneghan, DHA, MPAS, PA-C.

"By modernizing physician associate practice laws, this legislation removes outdated barriers and empowers PAs to deliver care at the top of their education and training. This is essential for rural and underserved communities, where patients too often face long wait times and have limited access to providers."

Maine is the first state to achieve AAPA's top three state priority policies -optimal PA practice, adoption of the PA Licensure Compact, and PA title change to physician associate.

"Maine is setting the tone for the rest of the country, demonstrating that updates to PA laws and entering the PA compact are essential steps states can take to expand access to PA care," said AAPA President and Chair of the Board Todd Pickard, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, FASCO. "However, lifting outdated barriers to PA practice is not just about the PA profession - it's part of a bigger movement to ensure healthcare systems and medical teams can fully optimize all healthcare providers."

Educated at the master's degree level, PAs are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. There are more than 190,000 PAs in the U.S, who have more than 590 million patient interactions each year.

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Media Contact: Jenni Roberson ([email protected]), 703.380.2764

About the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)
AAPA is the national membership organization for all physician associates/assistants (PAs). PAs are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. Trusted, rigorously educated and trained healthcare professionals, PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice. Learn more about the profession at aapa.org and engage through Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.