New Poll: Overwhelming Voter Support in North Carolina for the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact
13 Mayo 2024 - 5:14PM
New research shows a vast majority of North Carolina voters support
policies that expand access to health care. By large majorities and
on a bipartisan basis, voters support policy that would allow
physician assistants (PAs) to practice across state lines by
enacting the Licensure Compact. The poll was commissioned by the
North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants (NCAPA). This
release comes as bills
SB 879/HB
1056: PA Licensure Interstate Compact are
considered in the North Carolina State Legislature.
Conducted by GS Strategy Group, the poll of 600 likely North
Carolina voters found that majority of voters trust PAs to meet the
growing demand for adequate and accessible health care. Key
findings include:
- 89% of
respondents had a favorable opinion of PAs. And 83% of
respondents believe that the U.S. needs more health care workers
like PAs within the health care system.
- 89% of voters
strongly support policies that allow PAs to practice where they are
needed most. North Carolina voters are in support of the PA
Licensure Compact that would enable healthcare workers like PAs to
provide care in other states that participate in the
Compact
- 88% of voters
believe in the capabilities of PAs to fill current gaps in
care. PAs have the experience and qualifications to help treat
patients with basic medical issues and help meet the rising demand
for medical care.
- 85% believe that
health care workers like PAs should be allowed to treat patients
regardless of what state they live in. Voters agree that PAs
should be able to conduct appointments in other states, including
telehealth services, to help expand access to health care.
“North Carolina voters have spoken. The current limits and
hurdles to access adequate care are only further exacerbated by
current restrictions placed on health care workers, like PAs, who
have the qualifications and capabilities to support the growing
demand for medical care."- Rep. Erin Paré
“North Carolina legislators can meet this dire need by voting to
enact the PA licensure compact and allowing PAs to care for
patients who need care, regardless of state lines.”- Andrea
McKinnond, PA-C, NCAPA President.
About the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants,
the North Carolina Academy (NCAPA) was established in 1978
with a mission to strengthen the PA profession in North Carolina
through advocacy, education, and support to improve healthcare for
all patients.
NCAPA sponsored opinion research conducted by GS Strategy Group
from March 20-March 25, 2024. The survey polled a sample size of
600 prospective voters in North Carolina to understand their
opinions on policies that would improve access to care in the
state.
Sharde Olabanji
GMMB
510-710-2261
sharde.olabanji@gmmb.com