Demographic realities are driving this demand: a growing and aging population, increasing rates of chronic disease, and persistent healthcare workforce shortages. By 2034, adults 65 and older are projected to outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history, further intensifying demand for accessible, high-quality medical care.

PAs are uniquely positioned to meet this demand. They are educated in a medical model, trained more quickly than physicians, and can provide a broad range of services across primary care, specialty, and hospital-based practice. Their role within team-based care continues to expand, making them indispensable to the efficiency and resiliency of the healthcare system.

However, in Ohio, outdated practice laws limit what PAs can do, hindering access to care and workforce development. These barriers are not about safety or quality. They are about outdated statutory frameworks that no longer reflect the realities of medicine in 2025. They reduce efficiency, constrain workforce growth, and make Ohio less competitive than many other states that have modernized their laws.

 

PAs are already managing complex, high-acuity cases, leading in primary care delivery across rural Ohio, and providing essential coverage in hospitals. Recognizing this value through modernized laws and fair reimbursement will allow practices to fully utilize PAs and expand access in underserved communities.

 

Ohio is uniquely positioned to lead in meeting these challenges. With 17 PA programs, the state ranks 7th nationally in the number of training programs and produces a steady pipeline of highly skilled graduates. This represents a powerful economic asset: a workforce engine that can drive access to care, stabilize hospital systems, and contribute to Ohio’s healthcare economy. However, the workforce cannot reach its full potential without modern laws and fair reimbursement.

 

This is why advocacy is not optional. For Ohio’s PAs, advocacy must be a professional responsibility. Every PA in the state has a role to play in shaping the future of the profession.