Healthcare delivery is evolving quickly. Titles must keep pace.

In 2023, Iowa became the sixth state to eliminate physician supervision requirements for PAs – positioning the state as one of the best in the country for PAs to practice. Despite this major achievement, the profession’s title has remained stuck in the past.



Rigorously educated at the master’s degree level, PAs practice medicine in every specialty and setting. Unfortunately, there is a common misconception among patients that PAs only “assist” physicians when in fact PAs diagnose, treat, and provide high-quality medical care to their own patient panels—in many cases, without physician involvement. This disconnect creates confusion and diminishes the role of Iowa’s more than 1,500 PAs.

Modernizing the PA title ensures that legislators, patients, and the public understand the true role PAs play in meeting Iowa’s healthcare needs. It strengthens trust, reduces confusion, and positions Iowa as a forward-thinking state that values clarity in its healthcare system.