11/13/2025

Advocacy in Action: OAPA Testifies Again for PA Title Change

Efforts to modernize the title of Physician Assistants in Ohio are still underway, and OAPA is keeping the conversation alive through testimony, outreach, and advocacy.

On October 22, Government Affairs Chair Matthew Freado, MBA, PA-C, and Committee Member Melissa Bowlby, MHA, MSBS, PA-C, DFAAPA, provided in-person proponent testimony before the House Health Committee on House Bill 353, Ohio’s legislation to update the professional title from physician assistant to physician associate. Several Ohio PAs also submitted written testimony on their personal behalf to support the bill.

The testimony, along with the physical presence that day of nearly 100 PAs and PA students at Ohio PA Advocacy Day, focused on:
• Clarifying who PAs are and the high-quality care we provide
• Supporting patient understanding and recognition of the modern PA role
• Aligning our professional title with our education, training, and responsibilities

In the ensuing weeks, HB 353 experienced significant opposition from physician groups and key legislators, but OAPA continued to engage with legislators and seek ways to advance the initiative, including a strategic shift to include PA title change in a occupational licensure bill, HB 59.

We asked Ohio PAs and students to contact their lawmakers and request support for PA Title Change, and the community answered, sending nearly 1,000 messages to Ohio's Senators and Representatives to let them know why this is important to the profession and patients.

On Thursday, November 13, at 9:30 a.m., Government Affairs Chair Freado provided interested party testimony for HB 59. In his comments, he reiterated that the term "assistant" does not reflect the actual education, training, and daily workplace experience of a PA, and that the term "associate" provides a patient with better clarity about their provider.

We are delighted that our physician colleague also provided testimony in support of the clarity that PA title change can bring for patients and healthcare teams. In her remarks, Dr. Ann Crickard, D.O., emphasized that a change in the professional title for PAs does not change PA scope of practice nor does it impact physicians.

We will provide ongoing updates as PA Title Change continues to be considered by the Ohio House of Representatives.

The OAPA Government Affairs Committee supports the profession through advancing PA legislative priorities and removing barriers to practice. Please consider sharing your story about how PA practice law impacts you. We also invite your financial support to advance PA advocacy via the OAPA Legislative Fund and OAPA PAC.

Follow all of OAPA's advocacy activities on our legislative page, and reach out to oapa@ohiopa.com with any questions.