21.   Some veins, in fact, are simply too small to use, says Phillip Carpino, a physician assistant at New England Medical Center.

22.   Some states also allow licensed physician assistants expanded roles in civilian health care.

23.   The busy clinics are staffed full time by physician assistants or nurse practitioners, with doctors on hand at least one day a week.

24.   The committee also urged state governments to eliminate or reduce restrictions on the delivery of primary care by nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

25.   The woman saw more than a dozen doctors, nurses and physician assistants while her problems were diagnosed as bronchitis, pneumonia or stress.

26.   Their numbers and those of physician assistants are growing nationwide, with most working with doctors in private practice, clinics and hospitals.

27.   Todd Craig, spokesman for the Bureau of Prisons in Washington, said Tuesday that the two physician assistants are still working at the prison.