Delaware House passes bill to modernize physician associate practice, sponsor says it will ease rural provider shortages

Representative Barry brought House Bill 3 25 to the floor and described it as an effort to "modernize the physician associate profession to reflect the role these providers already play in our health care system." The bill, as amended on the floor, allows physician associates to be designated as primary-care independent practitioners and creates a pathway for experienced physician associates to practice without a required collaborative agreement with a single physician after 6,000 hours of clinical practice.

"We have over 500 physician associates in Delaware," Representative Barry said, adding that the bill was tied to the state’s rural health transformation program and federal funding commitments. "Delaware receives over will receive over a $157,000,000 in federal funding to improve health care access, quality and workforce capacity, particularly in rural communities. House Bill 3 25 is how we deliver on that commitment," Barry said, warning that failing to follow through could put that funding at risk.

Sponsor remarks stressed that the bill removes administrative barriers for experienced clinicians and aims to improve access to care in rural areas, where residents face longer waits and longer travel distances for services. Barry said the measure reflects stakeholder feedback and cited 31 letters of support.

Representative Halofsky and Representative Jones Giltner offered comments in favor, linking expanded practice authority to improved access and equity in maternal and rural health outcomes. A roll call vote recorded 38 yes and 3 absent; having received its constitutional majority, HB 325 as amended was passed by the House.

What it would change: the bill separates practicing-with-physician and practicing-without-physician pathways, adds an application process for physician associates who switch practice areas, and removes a provision on payment parity from an adopted amendment; sponsors said the substantive clinical protections and oversight remain intact while reducing administrative barriers.

Next steps: The bill was passed by the House and, per standard procedure, will be returned to or transmitted to the Senate (or to the governor as appropriate) for further action.