OSPA is working diligently to remove barriers in Oregon and enable PAs to respond quickly to our changing health care delivery system in light of COVID 19.

We are asking all members directed to morph into new roles or laid off as a result of COVID 19 to document their experiences in our newly created COVID 19 blog.   If you prefer, you can email your story to OSPA at admin@oregonpa.org.

OSPA anticipates sharing this information with the Governor as well as the Oregon Legislative Special Committee to support either an Executive Order from the Governor or a Statute change to allow Oregon PAs to step into new roles without the need for a new Practice Agreement or chart review. 

Please share your experiences with us. 

Leza Hayes

OSPA GAC Chair

COVID Task Force Chair

I am a physician assistant at local facility who accepted a private practice position in affiliation with another employer prior to the COVID pandemic (back in February). In early March, prior to the rapid evolvement of the COVID situation, I notified my current employer of my anticipated start date of April 15 as indicated in my signed offer letter with this new group. My employer credentialing process is nearly complete, with the Practice Agreement being the one and only item holding up my credentialing. 

Last week, my new private practice employer notified me that they would not be able to have me start until July (despite my signed contract with them) due to the significant burden COVID has had on their well-established and otherwise successful practice. Even then, I find that they cannot provide any guarantees despite my signed contract with them. 

As a result, I reached out to my current  employer asking if I could extend my resignation to July so I would not find myself unemployed for an undetermined period of time since I have financial responsibilities. I was notified that since the resignation process was in effect, they would continue to honor my prior resignation date.

I am now in a period of uncertainty due to the COVID pandemic. Furthermore, my son’s daycare has closed as a result of COVID and I now stay at home with him until my job situation changes. 

Ironically, I am a licensed provider in good standing with the state of OR who is willing to help fight this battle, but I now find myself unemployed for an uncertain period of time as a result of COVID. 

In the meantime, I will continue to help my community and my professional colleagues in any way that I am able. 

Sincerely,

Katrina Wogu, PA-C, RDMS

If ever there was a time to lobby to fix the absurd 85% Medicare reimbursement for PA/NPs, it is now.

I am on furlough from my dermatology position.  We also had to furlough/lay off 2/3 of office staff and the rest have decreased hours through work share program.  At this point the practice is still paying health benefits for everyone who had them previously. The other physicians are working less than half time (and one at a time) to do telehealth, answer patient questions, and see occasional emergencies.