NCAPA’s 2024 advocacy day, PA Day at the Legislature, was the largest attendance to date, with 150+ practicing PAs and PA students traveling to Raleigh, NC from across the state. The goal? To not only spread awareness and recognition of the PA profession, but to also advocate for the PA Licensure Compact bill.

The day started off with PAs and PA students gathering outside the State Legislative Building in downtown Raleigh with CEO, Emily Adams and NCAPA staff. Advocates began the day by networking as a large group, then meeting in their assigned small groups led by veteran PA advocates and discussing important talking points:

• The PA’s role within the healthcare system, and the PA’s adaptable skillset that addresses provider shortages in the state.
• The PA’s rigorous schooling, curriculum, and broad scope of skills that leads to highly-trained medical providers.
• The PA Licensure Compact (SB 879/HB 1056: PA Licensure Interstate Compact) being an interstate occupational licensure compact for physician assistants (PAs) which provides a streamlined process via a compact privilege for PAs to practice in other compact member states without the need to obtain multiple state licenses.
• The PA compact will not affect scope of practice – PAs using a compact privilege to practice must abide by the laws and regulations of the state which they are practicing in at the time.

Advocates were then invited to a welcome and Q&A with Representative Tim Reeder, MD (R-Pitt), who offered helpful advice and insight to first-time PA Day attendees in speaking with legislators. Rep. Reeder also recognized PA Day attendees while in session, and offered a tour of the House Floor to advocates.

During the day, attendees continued to meet with lawmakers in scheduled meetings to show support for the PA Compact bill and share their experiences & education not only as a PA in North Carolina, but as one of their constituents. Most importantly, advocates brought a face to the PA, the role, and the impact they have within healthcare teams in North Carolina and beyond.

Thank you to all PA Day attendees for traveling far and wide to set the stage for developing deeper legislative relationships. It takes all of us to make a difference, and to ensure that North Carolina remains one of the best places to be a PA.

📸 A special thank you to Representative Timothy Reeder, M.D. for speaking with our PA Day advocates on PA Day.