Price: Oklahoma’s new law empowers PAs to deliver more for rural communities

This year, Oklahoma took a major step forward in improving health care access, especially for rural communities like mine in Drumright. With the passage of House Bill 2584, the state has modernized the way physician assistants (PAs) can serve patients. After nearly two decades practicing as a PA at Drumright Rural Hospital, I can tell you: this is the kind of progress we desperately need.

The new law recognizes the skills and experience of PAs by reducing outdated supervision requirements and expanding prescriptive authority . PAs who have completed 6,240 hours of postgraduate clinical experience are no longer required to work under a supervising physician through a formal practice agreement. That means less red tape, more efficiency, and, most importantly, improved patient access.