Protecting patients one state at a time

In 2024, we defeated several scope expansion bills in partnership with state dermatology and medical societies. The AADA advocates for a physician-led, team-based approach to care that ensures both the safety and best outcomes for each patient. We fight against state legislation that weakens the quality and safety of specialty care through scope expansions for physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other non-physicians that threaten patient safety by allowing them to practice independently and advertise themselves as skin experts.

Here are some of our scope of practice wins in 2024:

Arizona: The AADA joined the Arizona Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery Society and coalition partners to fight against legislation that would allow dental hygienists to administer Botox and fillers for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes.

New Hampshire: The AADA and the New Hampshire Society of Dermatology fought against optometry scope expansion in the state. Both groups know the negative ramifications of optometry scope expansions as it would lower the standards of eye care and create detrimental skin and muscle issues for patients.

Wisconsin: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vetoed legislation that would have authorized independent practice to advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) by removing physician supervision/collaboration requirements of nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists after 3,840 clinical care hours in their respective APRN role with a physician or dentist. For nurse midwives, the legislation would have removed the collaboration requirement altogether.

Our wins also included defeating physician assistant legislation in New York and preventing the introduction of the fourth consecutive physician assistant expansion bill in South Dakota.

Learn more about our scope of practice advocacy efforts.