Physician Assistant Profession Regulation Bill, 5783-2023

This bill is intended to regulate the "physician assistant" profession in Israel, protect public health, and ensure an appropriate professional standard for those practicing the profession. The law defines who is permitted to use the title "physician assistant" and who is permitted to practice this profession. Only those holding a valid license from the Ministry of Health will be able to practice the profession. The law prohibits anyone who does not hold a license from practicing the profession or using the title "physician assistant" in a manner that could be misleading. The law sets conditions for obtaining a physician assistant license: being an adult, an Israeli citizen or resident of Israel, meeting eligibility conditions to be determined in the addendum to the law, not suffering from a dangerous illness, not having been convicted of a serious criminal or disciplinary offense, and possessing basic knowledge of the Hebrew language. The Director General of the Ministry of Health will be responsible for issuing the licenses. It will be possible to receive a temporary permit to practice the profession for a period of up to one year, which may be renewed. In certain cases, it will be possible to grant a special permit to employ a physician assistant who is not an Israeli citizen if they possess special knowledge and expertise. The law also addresses the recognition of academic degrees from abroad and stipulates that the Director General will examine the level of studies abroad in comparison to studies in Israel. It will be possible to grant a physician assistant license under certain conditions or to reject a license application. These decisions will be appealable before a special committee to be appointed by the Minister of Health. The law mandates the maintenance of a registry of all license holders, as well as the publication of license revocations or suspensions. Practical training and examinations are required, but holders of certain academic degrees may be exempted from this. The Minister of Health will determine the unique areas of expertise and the specific actions that will be permitted for physician assistants in these areas of expertise. The law establishes an advisory committee to assist the Minister of Health and the Director General on issues such as practical training, examinations, areas of expertise, supervision of physician assistants, and the restriction of advertisements. A physician assistant will be obligated to act with loyalty, fairness, and caution toward the patient and to maintain the dignity of the profession. The law restricts advertisements by physician assistants and stipulates that they must not harm the dignity of the profession or the public. The law details disciplinary offenses that could lead to sanctions, such as a warning, reprimand, fine, suspension of license, or its revocation. These offenses include improper conduct, gross negligence, violation of the provisions of the law or professional ethics, and conviction for a serious criminal offense. The law provides for the establishment of disciplinary committees that will hear complaints against physician assistants. It will be possible to appeal the decisions of the disciplinary committees to the District Court and subsequently to the Supreme Court. The Director General of the Ministry of Health will be responsible for the supervision of physician assistants and will be able to set professional instructions and monitoring controls. Physician assistants will be obligated to report changes in their medical condition, and they may be required to be examined by a medical committee. The law sets penalties for using the title "physician assistant" without a license or for impersonating a physician assistant. The penalties include a fine or imprisonment. The law will enter into force six months from the date of its publication.

Source: הצעת חוק לדיון מוקדם