MSSNY Calls for Restoration of Physician Supervision for Non-Physician Health Care Practitioners 

For Immediate Release
August 7, 2020


MSSNY Calls for Restoration of Physician Supervision for Non-Physician Health Care Practitioners

Statement Attributable to:
Bonnie Litvack, MD
President, Medical Society of the State of New York

“We are concerned for patient safety that Executive Order 202.55 continues the waiver of otherwise statutorily required physician supervision requirements for various non-physician health care practitioners, including nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

“MSSNY had significant concerns with the March Executive Order that eliminated physician supervision requirements with an understanding that the COVID-19 pandemic required an ‘all hands-on deck’ approach.  However, given our ‘all in’ efforts to significantly reduce COVID-19 infections in New York, of which we should all be very proud, these Orders that eliminate essential physician supervision potentially place patients at risk.  While various non-physician practitioners are an important part of the health care team, they have far less training than the many years of specialized training that physicians are required to complete before delivering safe patient care.

“We urge that statutory supervision and/or oversight requirements be restored as soon as possible.”

# # #

Founded in 1807, the Medical Society of the State of New York is the state’s principal non-profit professional organization for physicians, residents and medical students of all specialties. Its mission is to represent the interests of patients and physicians to assure quality healthcare services for all. 


Media Contact:
Roseann Raia

Communications / Marketing
Medical Society of the State of New York
865 Merrick Ave.
Westbury, New York 11590
516-488-6100 ext 302 
rraia@mssny.org