Physician assistants are embracing industry calls to help close the primary care gap and meet the growing demand for healthcare services, NBC News reported. The article cited three PAs who already are providing basic care, such as tests and counseling, in areas where it's hard to find physicians. They are among the growing ranks of accredited physician assistants who write prescriptions, coordinate care, manage patients with injuries and chronic disease, and perform minor surgery. "Currently, there are more than 93,000 PAs throughout the U.S. whose education in general medicine prepares them to be extremely nimble, positioning them very well to address an influx of 20 million new patients entering the healthcare system," American Academy of Physician Assistants President Lawrence Herman told NBC News. Article