Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Health Care & Wellness Committee

HB 1899

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Decreases continuing education requirements for retired active physicians.
Requires the Medical Quality Assurance Commission to study making further changes to the retired active physician license.

Background:

Disciplining authorities, such as the Medical Quality Assurance Commission (MQAC), are statutorily authorized to create a special license for retired active practitioners. Such a licensee may only practice in emergent or intermittent circumstances, must meet continuing education and competency requirements, is subject to the Uniform Disciplinary Act, and pays a reduced renewal fee.

The MQAC has established requirements for retired active physicians. Under rules promulgated by the MQAC, a retired active physician:

must practice for no compensation; and
may only provide primary care services in community clinics that are operated by public or private tax-exempt corporations.

Physicians holding a retired active license must meet the same continuing education requirement for all other physicians, which is 200 hours every four years. The renewal fee for a retired active physician is $100 per year (active physicians pay $525 every two years).

Summary of Bill:

The number of hours of continuing education for a retired active physician may not exceed 10 hours per year.

The Medical Quality Assurance Commission (MQAC) must consider amending its rules on retired active physicians in a manner that improves access to health care services without compromising public safety. The MQAC must consider, at a minimum:

whether retired active physicians should be allowed to provide services beyond primary care; and
whether retired active physicians should be allowed to provide services in settings beyond community clinics.

The MQAC must determine whether it will amend its rules by November 15, 2009. If the MQAC determines that it will not amend its rules, it must provide a written explanation of its decision to the Legislature no later than December 1, 2009.