An Act to Increase Access to Primary Care Provided by Physician
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 2088
Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
Sponsors: BOYER
Amends: 32 MRSA §2594-E, 32 MRSA §2594-F, 32 MRSA §3270-E, 32 MRSA §3270-G

Legislative Document
No. 2088
H.P. 1403
House of Representatives, January 7, 2026
An Act to Increase Access to Primary Care Provided by Physician 
Associates
(EMERGENCY)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203.
Reference to the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services 
suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative BOYER of Cape Elizabeth.
Cosponsored by Representative: MATHIESON of Kittery, Senator: BAILEY of York.
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and amended by PL 2025, c. 316, §3, is repealed.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 
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.
SUMMARY
This bill removes the requirement for a practice agreement with an active physician for 
a physician associate who is the principal clinical provider in a practice that does not 
include a physician.  The bill also makes optional consultations between a physician 
associate and a physician or other health care professional and removes the requirement 
that a physician be accessible at all times for purposes of consultation.