American Medical Association Scope of Practice
The American Medical Association protects the practice of medicine and defends against inappropriate scope expansions by non-physicians at the state and federal level. Our comprehensive campaign includes fact-based data and actionable resources for state medical associations, national specialty societies and physician leaders across the country to inform and educate lawmakers on the importance of physician-led teams.
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Click one of the following links to explore available resources.
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Access to Care
The AMA’s series of GEOMAPS shows the practice location of physicians to non-physicians in every state. These GEOMAPS clearly illustrate that non-physicians tend to practice in the same location as physicians, irrespective of state scope of practice laws. Even in states where non-physicians have been granted independent practice, they have not moved into rural and underserved areas.
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Education & Training
Learn more about the vast differences in the education, training, licensure, and certification of non-physicians compared to physicians. Patients deserve to have their care led by physicians, the most highly trained health care professional.
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Cost/Quality
Non-physicians tend to increase health care costs, due to increased prescribing and increased utilization of diagnostic and other health care services. Find out more
AMA’s Health Workforce Mapper
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The AMA Health Workforce Mapper is a free, customizable, interactive tool that illustrates the geographic distribution of the health care workforce.