PRESIDENT SIGNS VETERANS BILL THAT INCLUDES SEN. COLLINS' PROVISION TO IMPROVE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT REPRESENTATION AT THE VA

President Obama has signed into law the "Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010." This bill contains a provision, originally authored by U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which will establish a Director of Physician Assistant Services within the Veterans Health Administration. This provision will address the need for stronger representation of Physician Assistants at the VA.

Senator Collins' provision would elevate the Physician Assistant Advisor position, currently a part-time field position, to a full-time Director located in the VA's central office, ensuring that Physician Assistants have a strong voice in the VA. The provision was endorsed by AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Blinded Veterans Association, the Veterans Affairs Physician Assistant Association, the Veterans and Military Families for Progress, and the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

"I strongly believe that this provision will improve the quality of care of our nation's veterans and the representation of Physician Assistants within the VA health care system," Senator Collins said. "I am pleased that the veterans' benefits bill is now law, but I know that there is still more work to be done. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I look forward to continuing to work to ensure that those who have served our nation are afforded the benefits they have earned and deserve."

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