Oregon equal pay for equal work law has been signed into law in an independent practice state with NP's and PA's getting paid FULL amount from private insurance. This means that a new grad NP's will be paid the same amount as an attending family physician and psychiatrist and also have the same rights and scope of practice as a family physician and psychiatrist.
With the tremendous push for equal pay and for autonomy for PA and NP, is there any reason for medical students to want to go into primary care anymore? I guess my question is, it seems so bizarre that someone would put themselves through hell when they could become a competent provider through the NP route or PA route.
So do you think with these new laws, PA's and NP's will ultimately lead primary care? will these laws drive away medical students from primary care? Is it financially reasonable for a medical student to become a family physician in an equal pay state?
As an sNP, I'm incredibly thrilled and happy at how much progress our profession has made. However, I also understand how some medical students hoping to go into family medicine can feel cheated and grumpy about it. What are ya'll thoughts?
