An Act to Increase Access to Primary Care Provided by Physician Associates

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STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX
_____
H.P. 1403 - L.D. 2088
An Act to Increase Access to Primary Care Provided by Physician Associates
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, there is a shortage of medical providers in the State, particularly in rural
areas, and this legislation will increase the number of physician associates who are able to
practice in primary care, which will provide more health care opportunities throughout the
State and has the potential to make the State eligible for funds from federal rural health
care grants; and
Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect immediately in order to remedy the
shortage of medical providers and funding as soon as possible; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §2594-E, sub-§5, ¶E, as amended by PL 2019, c. 627, Pt. B,
§12, is further amended to read:
E. Requirements for collaborative agreements and practice agreements under section
2594‑F, including uniform standards and forms;
Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §2594-F, sub-§1, ¶F, as enacted by PL 2019, c. 627, Pt. B, §13
and amended by PL 2025, c. 316, §3, is repealed.
Sec. 3. 32 MRSA §2594-F, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2019, c. 627, Pt. B, §13 and
amended by PL 2025, c. 316, §3, is further amended to read:
4. Consultation. A physician associate shall may, as indicated by a patient's condition,
the education, competencies and experience of the physician associate and the standards of
care, consult with, collaborate with or refer the patient to an appropriate physician or other
health care professional. The level of consultation required under this subsection is
determined by the practice setting, including a physician employer, physician group
APPROVED
APRIL 3, 2026
BY GOVERNOR
CHAPTER
604
PUBLIC LAW
Page 2 - 132LR2828(03)
practice or private practice, or by the system of credentialing and granting of privileges of
a health care facility. A physician must be accessible to the physician associate at all times
for consultation. Consultation may occur electronically or through telecommunication and
includes communication, task sharing and education among all members of a health care
team.
Sec. 4. 32 MRSA §2594-F, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 2019, c. 627, Pt. B, §13 and
amended by PL 2025, c. 316, §3, is repealed.
Sec. 5. 32 MRSA §3270-E, sub-§5, ¶E, as amended by PL 2019, c. 627, Pt. B,
§16, is further amended to read:
E. Requirements for collaborative agreements and practice agreements under section
3270‑G, including uniform standards and forms;
Sec. 6. 32 MRSA §3270-G, sub-§1, ¶F, as enacted by PL 2019, c. 627, Pt. B, §17
and amended by PL 2025, c. 316, §3, is repealed.
Sec. 7. 32 MRSA §3270-G, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2019, c. 627, Pt. B, §17 and
amended by PL 2025, c. 316, §3, is further amended to read:
4. Consultation. A physician associate shall may, as indicated by a patient's condition,
the education, competencies and experience of the physician associate and the standards of
care, consult with, collaborate with or refer the patient to an appropriate physician or other
health care professional. The level of consultation required under this subsection is
determined by the practice setting, including a physician employer, physician group
practice, or private practice, or by the system of credentialing and granting of privileges of
a health care facility. A physician must be accessible to the physician associate at all times
for consultation. Consultation may occur electronically or through telecommunication and
includes communication, task sharing and education among all members of a health care
team.
Sec. 8. 32 MRSA §3270-G, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 2019, c. 627, Pt. B, §17 and
amended by PL 2025, c. 316, §3, is repealed.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
takes effect when approved.