Physician Assistant Profession Regulation Bill, 5783-2022

This bill is intended to regulate the "physician assistant" profession in Israel, ensure an appropriate professional standard for practitioners, and protect public health. The law defines a "physician assistant" as a person licensed to practice in this profession. It prohibits anyone who is not licensed from practicing as a physician assistant, using the title "physician assistant" or a similar title, or impersonating a physician assistant. These prohibitions do not apply to those undergoing practical training in the field or those exempted by the Minister of Health. The law sets conditions for obtaining a physician assistant license: being an adult, a resident or citizen of Israel, meeting eligibility requirements to be set in the law's addendum (which the Minister of Health may change by order with the approval of the Knesset Health Committee), not suffering from a dangerous disease, not having been convicted of a criminal or disciplinary offense that makes the person unfit to receive a license due to its nature, severity, or circumstances, and possessing basic knowledge of the Hebrew language. The Director (referring to the Director General of the Ministry of Health or their designee) may grant a temporary permit to practice the profession for a period not exceeding one year for the purpose of completing the licensing process. The Director may also renew temporary permits. In special cases, the Director may approve the employment of a physician assistant who is not an Israeli citizen or resident at the request of a medical institution for a period not exceeding one year and under conditions they determine. This special permit will require the holder to meet conditions set by the Director and will be considered as holding a physician assistant license. The law stipulates that an academic degree granted by a higher education institution abroad will not be recognized for the purposes of the law unless the institution is recognized in Israel, the Director has recognized it, and the degree was granted within the framework of studies recognized by the Director. The Director, in consultation with an advisory committee, will consider the level of studies abroad, the curriculum, and the scope and duration of studies in comparison to studies in Israel. The Director may require the applicant to complete practical training or pass examinations as a condition for recognizing their studies or receiving a license. The Director may decide to grant a physician assistant license with conditions or reject a license application, but must give the applicant an opportunity to present their arguments beforehand. A decision to reject or impose conditions must be reasoned in writing. An objection to the Director's decision may be filed with an objections committee appointed by the Minister of Health. The objections committee will include three members: a representative of the Ministry of Health (who will also serve as chair), a legal advisor from the Ministry of Health, and a public representative who is a physician assistant or a physician with at least five years of experience. The Director will maintain a registry of licensed physician assistants, which will include their names and license numbers. The registry will be open for public inspection on the internet. The law also sets provisions regarding the revocation, conditioning, or suspension of a license. The Minister of Health may set rules regarding practical training, including exemptions from training. The Minister will also determine the subjects for physician assistant examinations and the procedures for examinations and appeals. The Minister of Health may determine areas of expertise for physician assistants and may establish regulations regarding specific actions for physician assistants in certain areas of expertise.

Source: הצעת חוק לדיון מוקדם