01/30/2025
OAPA Leader Q&A: President Hart Welcomes New Government Affairs Chair Freado
2025 brings with it a new Ohio General Assembly, a new lobbying relationship for OAPA, and new leadership for our Government Affairs Committee, with former chair Rev. Josanne Kissel Pagel M.Div., MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, C-EBS, Karuna®RMT passing the torch to the next generation of advocacy leadership (read more about it here).
President Nathan Hart recently caught up with our new Government Affairs Chair, Matthew Freado, MBA, PA-C, to talk about his plans for the future of OAPA advocacy.
Nathan:
We are excited to have you in this role now, Matt. Thanks for choosing to serve! Can you tell us a little bit about your first experience in advocacy/government affairs for Ohio PAs? What was it, what did you learn from it, and what about it helped to spark your further interest?
Matthew:
Thanks, Nate. It's an honor! So my first experience with government affairs began during PA school under the guidance of our program director, Melissa Bowlby, who emphasized its importance. While I didn’t initially find it to be a major area of interest, that quickly changed after graduation when Ohio successfully removed the restrictive formulary, which, for our student and early career readers who may not know, was a literal list of medications PAs were allowed to prescribe. This milestone was a significant step forward for PA practice in Ohio and opened my eyes to the impact of advocacy in dismantling unnecessary barriers. Shortly after graduation, I became more involved with OAPA and began learning how our state government processes influence our profession.
Nathan:
To help members get to know you better, can you please describe your career as a PA and what impact restrictive PA practice laws have had on you personally at work?
Matthew:
Throughout my career in Emergency Medicine and Urgent Care, as well as from an advocacy perspective, I’ve encountered several restrictive barriers that highlight Ohio PAs' challenges. One significant example is the inability to initiate an Application for Emergency Admission, commonly known as pink slipping. I’ve cared for patients with acute psychosis, managing their immediate intervention, diagnostics, stabilization, and admission to the hospital. However, despite recognizing the need for Emergency Admission to ensure the safety of the patient and the community, I was required to ask my attending physician to complete and sign the form. Every PA understands the gravity of this decision, as it involves temporarily taking away a person’s rights to protect them and others, but the process could be more efficient if PAs were granted this authority.
Another example is the limited ability to perform rapid sequence intubation (RSI) fully. While hospitals credential PAs with appropriate training to perform intubations, Ohio law restricts us from ordering and maintaining the necessary sedation required for the procedure. This barrier is particularly problematic in emergency medicine, trauma, and critical care, where timeliness and autonomy are crucial.
Additionally, the requirement for direct supervision of newly licensed PAs has created challenges for both new graduates and experienced PAs. I’ve seen how these restrictions push talented PAs out of Ohio to states where they can practice with greater autonomy. These limitations hinder our ability to provide optimal patient care and contribute to workforce attrition, ultimately affecting access to care across the state.
Nathan:
As many of our readers will know, you recently served as OAPA President from 2023-2024. How did that leadership role further influence your understanding of, and interest in, government affairs?
Matthew:
Serving as OAPA President further deepened my involvement in advocacy, as I worked closely with our lobbyist, met with Ohio legislators, and testified before the General Assembly. Although advocacy didn’t come naturally to me at first, I leaned into opportunities to step outside my comfort zone with the encouragement of others. These experiences shaped my passion for government affairs and my commitment to improving PA practice in Ohio.
In addition to professional growth, serving in an advocacy role has provided a healthy outlet for me. It’s been incredibly fulfilling to channel my energy into making a tangible impact on behalf of our profession. At a time when clinical burnout is a significant concern, advocacy has been a source of renewal and purpose. It reminded me why I became a PA in the first place: to make a difference in healthcare. This service has allowed me to push for meaningful change and take proactive steps to preserve my well-being as a provider.
I know I still have much to learn in this new role, but I feel supported by our incredible community of PAs and remain motivated to advocate for meaningful change that benefits both patients and PAs across our state.
Nathan:
What are you hearing from other PAs around the state regarding advocacy? Do you think there is a strong appetite for change, engagement, and advancements in PA practice?
Matthew:
Ohio PAs undoubtedly have a strong appetite for change, particularly when it comes to overcoming practice barriers. However, there often seems to be a disconnect regarding achieving these changes. Every PA wants to practice at the top of their license, but there can be a lack of understanding or sometimes apathy about the advocacy work required to make this happen.
OAPA is the only entity consistently advocating for legislative changes to advance PA practice in Ohio. While AAPA supports our efforts, and we are fortunate to have received their advocacy grant this year, the reality is that OAPA is leading the charge in Ohio. Specialty organizations play an important role in advancing our skills and knowledge, but if we can’t use those skills within the legal framework of our state, what is the point?
We need Ohio's PAs to recognize that meaningful change takes time and effort. It’s not always a smooth or immediate process, and change can positively and negatively impact our profession. OAPA is on the front lines, monitoring legislation, defending our practice rights, and pushing for progress. We need committed and passionate members willing to stand with OAPA through successes and setbacks to ensure that PA practice continues to evolve in Ohio. Simply being a member and showing up when called upon can significantly impact our patients and profession.
Nathan:
What are you most excited about in taking on this new role as Government Affairs Chair?
Matthew:
I’m excited to take on the role of Government Affairs Chair and work to expand the scope of our advocacy efforts. Collaborating with our new lobbyist, Hicks Partners, and leveraging the support of our AAPA Advocacy Grant gives us a unique opportunity to push for meaningful change in the next 2-year general assembly session. I’m eager to experiment with new strategies, learn what resonates with legislators, and identify what works and doesn’t. This process of trial and adjustment is an exciting challenge that I’m ready to take on.
Additionally, I’m excited to deepen my understanding of the legislative process and to connect with other passionate PAs who share the same goals for advancing our profession. One event that I’m particularly looking forward to is our PA Advocacy Day at the Statehouse on October 22nd. This will be an invaluable opportunity for Ohio PAs and PA students to meet with their legislators, educate them on important issues, and strengthen those essential relationships. As constituents, legislators genuinely value hearing from us and engaging in these conversations. This event falls on the eve of the OAPA Annual Conference, so that it will be a fantastic kick-off for an exciting week of advocacy and collaboration.
Nathan:
And finally, we know that you can't do this alone! So if a member would like to get involved to help remove legislative barriers and advance PA practice, what are their options?
Matthew:
The first step in getting involved is becoming a member of OAPA. The consistent impact of being present and understanding the power of our professional membership cannot be overstated. Our membership provides access to important calls to action, time-sensitive information, and opportunities to engage with advocacy efforts that directly impact our practice.
Next, if you are a content expert in a specific area of medicine, make sure to raise your hand as a go-to expert for OAPA. We'll reach out to you when relevant legislation comes up, making sure your expertise is put to good use.
There are many ways to get involved in Government Affairs, including participating in direct meetings with our lobbyists, testifying before the General Assembly, writing and submitting testimony, coordinating meetings with legislators at your school or practice site, and even contributing to our legislative or PAC funds.
The best way to get started is to take that first step—reach out and express your interest in getting involved. Understand your strengths and be willing to step outside your comfort zone. Advocacy work often requires courage, but it’s essential for meaningful change. You can reach out to me at OAPA@ohiopa.com, and be sure to check our social media and website regularly for government affairs updates.
Nathan:
Well, thanks again for stepping up and into the role of Government Affairs Chair, Matt. I look forward to working with you in this new capacity and wish you all the best!
Matthew:
Thank you, Nate, for appointing me to the role. I am excited about what the future holds for Ohio PAs and our legislative impact.