The Senate Committee on Business and Professions approved SB 352 by Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), a bill designed to allow physician assistants and other providers to oversee work by medical assistants. "MA's are only allowed to do basic medical tasks, but if a physician's not there on-site, then the MA can only do clerical work," Pavley said. "Under this bill, a nurse practitioner, midwife or physician assistant can supervise them, without a physician being on the premises." Pavley made it a point to say the bill doesn't change what medical assistants are allowed to do, or even what physician assistants or nurse practitioners are allowed to do.
