Healthcare (Medical Licensing)

HB 3039 modifies rules for physician assistants' prescribing authority and scope of practice. It requires physician assistants to work under written collaborative agreements with physicians for prescribing drugs, including limiting Schedule II controlled substances (like hydrocodone and oxycodone) to a 120-hour supply without refill. The bill explicitly prohibits physician assistants from prescribing abortions or using titles like "doctor," and mandates they identify themselves as PAs. Additionally, it requires new applicants after 2008 to hold a master's degree in physician assistant studies.

HB 2702 sets new standards for establishing a doctor-patient relationship before providing telemedicine services in Missouri. It requires that this relationship be created through an in-person visit, consultation with another physician, or a telemedicine encounter that meets specific clinical and technological standards - prohibiting prescriptions based solely on internet questionnaires or telephone calls without a prior established relationship. The bill mandates that telemedicine providers review patient medical history, perform sufficient examinations via technology, and send a written report to the patient’s primary care provider within 14 days, including diagnosis and treatment details. These provisions apply to all healthcare providers using telemedicine for prescribing medications or treatments under Missouri law.

HB 2556 reserves specific medical titles and specialty designations (like "MD," "Cardiologist," or "Pediatrician") exclusively for licensed physicians. It prohibits non-physicians - including nurses, therapists, or other healthcare providers - from using these titles, with limited exceptions for chiropractors, physician assistants, and speech-language pathologists. The bill also allows patients to sue non-physicians who misuse reserved titles for damages, injunctions, or penalties, and permits licensing boards to discipline violators. This policy change directly affects healthcare providers seeking to use medical titles and patients receiving care from those providers.