Public Affairs Articles
In CMA Today, AAMA Chief Executive Officer and Legal Counsel Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA, covers critical issues, such as the right to practice and recognition of the CMA (AAMA)® credential.
See News & Events as well as the Legal Eye: On Medical Assisting blog for more information on issues affecting the profession, including advocacy and the latest legal updates related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
States That Require Medical Assistants to Meet Education and Testing Requirements
(November/December 2023)
Also available as a PDF
A Department of Education Proposed Rule Could Impact Career and Technical (Including Allied Health) Education
(September/October 2023)
Also available as a PDF
Boards of Nursing Should Authorize APRNs to Delegate to Medical Assistants
(July/August 2023)
Also available as a PDF
Why the Certifying Board of the AAMA and the Medical Assisting Education Review Board Are Accountable to Third Parties
(May/June 2023)
Also available as a PDF
Principles for Determining Whether to Develop a Microcredential
(March/April 2023)
Also available as a PDF
Why Professional Regulation Laws Vary from State to State
(January/February 2023)
Also available as a PDF
Two State Nursing Boards Recognize Educated and Credentialed Medical Assistants
(November/December 2022)
Also available as a PDF
The Less-Regulation Movement
Why Certification Is a Viable Option for Professional Regulation
(September/October 2022)
Also available as a PDF
Key Scope of Practice Legislation Is Enacted in Connecticut and South Carolina
(July/August 2022)
Also available as a PDF
Delegation to Medical Assistants under Florida Law
(May/June 2022)
Also available as a PDF
Utilizing Medical Assistants to the Top of Their Training
How Recent Law Changes Have Expanded Their Scope of Service
(March/April 2022)
Also available as a PDF
How Will Medical Assistants Be Impacted by the CMS COVID-19 Vaccination Rule?
(January/February 2022)
Also available as a PDF
AAMA Board of Trustees Creates the Advisory Program
(November/December 2021)
Also available as a PDF
The AAMA Launches Order Entry Competence Outreach to Payers
(September/October 2021)
Also available as a PDF
The AAMA Achieves Legislative Victories in Maryland and Washington
(July/August 2021)
Also available as a PDF
Basics of not-for-profit and tax-exempt law
(May/June 2021)
Also available as a PDF
Federal policy and the pandemic
How the pandemic and changes in federal policy have expanded medical assistants’ scope of practice
(March/April 2021)
Also available as a PDF
What tasks are delegable to—and performable by—medical assistants?
Part II
(Jan/Feb 2021)
Also available as a PDF
What tasks are delegable to—and performable by—medical assistants?
Part I
(Nov/Dec 2020)
Also available as a PDF
Medical assistants' competence in performing diagnostic tests
Comments to the CMS
(Sept/Oct 2020)
Also available as a PDF
Medical assistants answer the call to work in acute care settings
What is their scope of practice?
(Jul/Aug 2020)
Also available as a PDF
Continuing education requirements for medical assistant-certified credential in WA
(May/June 2020)
Also available as a PDF
Medical assistants’ role in remote physiologic monitoring services
(March/April 2020)
Also available as a PDF
NP delegation in South Carolina
State law permits nurse practitioner delegation to medical assistants
(January/February 2020)
Also available as a PDF
The CMA (AAMA)® Certification Exam Eligibility Pilot Program
Criteria and rationale for the three-year pilot study
(November/December 2019)
Also available as a PDF
Appropriate use criteria program
CMAs (AAMA)® meet clinical staff criteria under the CMS rule
(September/October 2019)
Also available as a PDF
The role of medical assistants in increasing colorectal cancer screening rates
(July/August 2019)
Also available as a PDF
Medical assistants must not refer to themselves as "nurses"
(May/June 2019)
Also available as a PDF
Conditions of Participation
CMS rules do not preempt state delegation laws
(March/April 2019)
Also available as a PDF
ISMA urges Indiana physicians to hire competent medical assistants
(January/February 2019)
Also available as a PDF
Comments to the Montana Board of Medical Examiners
Protecting patients in Montana from substandard medical assisting services
(September/October 2018)
Also available as a PDF
The role of medical assistants in the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
(July/August 2018)
Also available as a PDF
Why more employers are hiring CMAs (AAMA)
(May/June 2018)
Also available as a PDF
Medicare CCM and TCM programs
Defining medical assistants' roles and services
(March/April 2018)
Also available as a PDF
Delegation and supervision
SCBME clarifies scope of medical assisting practice
(January/February 2018)
Also available as a PDF
Comments to the Arizona Medical Board
Protecting patients in Arizona from substandard medical assisting services
(November/December 2017)
Also available as a PDF
Medical assistant credentialing requirement for Medicaid remains in effect
(September/October 2017)
Also available as a PDF
Arkansas rule change would expand scope of practice for certain medical assistants
(July/August 2017)
Also available as a PDF
Standards and practice
Joint Commission manual does not limit medical assistants' scope
(May/June 2017)
Also available as a PDF
Assessment-based certificates and professional certifications
An evaluation of the primary differences
(March/April 2017)
Also available as a PDF
"Incident-to" billing
Medical assistants' services under the Medicare CCM program
(November/December 2016)
Also available as a PDF
Educator eligibility
Why the Certifying Board continues to require CAAHEP or ABHES graduation for the CMA (AAMA) Certification Examination
(September/October 2016)
Also available as a PDF
Why IAS accreditation and ISO 17024 compliance are monumental achievements
(July/August 2016)
Also available as a PDF
One credential, many roles
Why CMAs (AAMA) are uniquely qualified for advanced positions
(May/June 2016)
Also available as a PDF
Educational standards for medical assistants
The AAMA and OSSMA submit comments to the Ohio Board of Nursing
(March/April 2016)
Also available as a PDF
The AAMA partners with the University of Nevada, Reno, to prevent FASDs
(January/February 2016)
Also available as a PDF
CMA (AAMA) certification
Why it is the premier credential
(November/December 2015)
Also available as a PDF
EHR Incentive Programs
AAMA comments on the CMS Stage 3 proposed rule
(September/October 2015)
Also available as a PDF
Occupational analyses
Why such studies are important for examination and curriculum development
(July/August 2015)
Also available as a PDF
Proposed CMS rule is favorable for CMAs (AAMA)
(May/June 2015)
Also available as a PDF
Best practices for practices
Protect your office by employing CMAs (AAMA)
Updated March 2015
(Revised and reprinted May/June 2010)
(Published July/August 2006)
Also available as a PDF
The CMS order entry rule
What educators need to know
(March/April 2015)
Also available as a PDF
Standards for Ambulatory Care and the CMA (AAMA) credential
(January/February 2015)
Also available as a PDF
How medical assistants can meet the CMS meaningful use requirements
(November/December 2014)
Also available as a PDF
Letters and the law
Misuse of "CMA (AAMA)" and "CMA" can have legal consequences
(September/October 2014)
Also available as a PDF
The AAMA asks Congress to invest in health professions programs
(July/August 2014)
Also available as a PDF
CMS audits and credentialing issues for order entry
(May/June 2014)
Also available as a PDF
Assessment-Based Recognition in Order Entry
Why the AAMA created the program
Updated July 2014
(January/February 2014)
Also available as a PDF
CMS official affirms AAMA positions on meaningful use
(November/December 2013)
Also available as a PDF
Why more employers are hiring CMAs (AAMA)
(September/October 2013)
FAQs about the CMS Rule for Meaningful Use Order Entry
(July/August 2013)
Medical assistants
Scope of practice, education, and credentialing
(May/June 2013)
Scope of Practice Request in Connecticut
A Letter to the Connecticut Department of Public Health
(March/April 2013)
AAMA Triumphs in CMS Order Entry Rule
CE test available on the e-Learning Center
(November/December 2012)
CMAs (AAMA) Help Physicians Meet New and Shifting Staffing Demands
(September/October 2012)
Legal Differences Between Working in Inpatient and Outpatient Settings
(July/August 2012)
AAMA Comments on the Proposed CMS Rule
(May/June 2012)
Frequent Questions About Medical Assistants' Scope Of Practice
(March/April 2012)
Washington State Sunrise Public Hearing
Teaming Up with Washington State Society to Testify for Medical Assistants
(November/December 2011)
How the CMA (AAMA) Stands Apart
A Comparison of Four Medical Assisting Certifications
(September/October 2011)
Also available as a PDF
ACOs Could Boost PCMHs
And Expand Opportunities For CMAs (AAMA)
(July/August 2011)
Who Are "Other Qualified Healthcare Personnel"?
Medical Assistants and Vaccine Coding
(May/June 2011)
Medical Assistants Must Not Refer to Themselves as "Nurses"
(January/February 2011)
Medical Assistants Do Not Need to Become Medication Aides
(November/December 2010)
Which Professions Should Be Licensed?
Criteria Legislators Employ
(September/October 2010)
Also available as a PDF
State Regulation of Medical Assisting
Exploring The Legal And Political Dimensions
(July/August 2010)
The CMA (AAMA) Advantage
How the PCMH Practice can Benefit
(March/April 2010)
Opportunities Increase as CMAs (AAMA) Answer PCMH Needs
(January/February 2010)
Arkansas Law Establishes Legal Basis for Physician Delegation
(November/December 2009)
Georgia Legislation Secures Right to Practice
(July/August 2009)
Can Academic Programs Require Certification?
A Legal Perspective
(May/June 2009)
CMAs (AAMA): Linchpins of the Patient-Centered Medical Home
(March/April 2009)
Alaska Board of Nursing Considers Delegation to Medical Assistants
(November/December 2008)
Excerpts from the NOCA Guide to Understanding Credentialing Concepts
(September/October 2008)
AAMA Asks Congress to Fully Fund Violence Against Women Act
(July/August 2008)
Illinois Nurse Law Safeguards Physician Delegation to Medical Assistants
(May/June 2008)
Support the CARE Bill by Contacting Congress
(March/April 2008)
Strengthening the Credential
CMA Changes To CMA (AAMA)
(November/December 2007)
Spirit of Cooperation Prevails
South Carolina Society Meets With Medical Examining and Nursing Boards
(September/October 2007)
AAMA Successfully Defends "Certified Medical Assistant®" Trademark Registration
(July/August 2007)
CARE Bill Introduced in House of Representatives
AAMA Meets With Congressional Staff
(May/June 2007)
Role Delineation Study
Blueprint for Curriculum, Exam, and Continuing Education Guidelines
(March/April 2007)
Why More Employers Are Hiring CMAs
(January/February 2007)
CMA Program Granted Prestigious NCCA Accreditation
(November/December 2006)
Misuse of CMA Credential has Serious Consequences
(September/October 2006)
Your Office Staff Can Get You Sued
Protect Your Practice by Employing CMAs
(July/August 2006)
Victory in Utah!
Confusion Eliminated Between Medication Aides/Assistants and CMAs
(May/June 2006)
History in the Making
A Retrospective on the Medical Assisting Profession
(March/April 2006)
Nursing Group Helps Certified Medical Assistants
(November/December 2005)
North Dakota CMAs Regain Injections
(September/October 2005)
CARE Bill Gains Momentum in Congress
AAMA at the Forefront
(July/August 2005)
Coalition Promotes Phlebotomy Standards
(May/June 2005)
How to Explain the Differences
CMAs, Nursing Assistants, and Medication Aides
(March/April 2005)