HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 699

BYRepresentatives Brooks, Sprenkle, Moyer, Niemi, Meyers, Hine, Jesernig, P. King and May

Providing limited licenses to practice medicine to visiting teachers, researchers, or fellowship holders.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:     Do pass.  (9)

     Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Bristow, Brooks, Bumgarner, Cantwell, Lux, D. Sommers and Sprenkle.

House Staff:Bill Hagens (786-7131)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 12, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of the bill is to permit visiting teaching physicians and medical fellows, who are not licensed in Washington state, limited authority to practice medicine.

Presently, visiting teaching physicians and medical fellows at the University of Washington Medical School cannot partake in patient care if not licensed in this state despite eminent qualifications.  Frequently, patient care is integrally involved in medical teaching.

SUMMARY:

Permits the Board of Medical Examiners to allow non-licensed teaching physicians and medical fellows to practice up to one year with a two year renewal upon the following conditions:

(1)  The physician is nominated by the medical school dean or a chief executive officer of a teaching facility such as University Hospital;

(2)  She or he is a graduate of a recognized medical school and licensed elsewhere; and

(3)  The practice is limited to the area of instruction.

It is estimated that approximately five physicians per year would qualify.

Fiscal Note:    Requested February 26, 1987.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Representative Brooks, primary sponsor; Loren Winterscheid, University of Washington and Thomas Hornbein, University of Washington.

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     Teaching physicians need to provide patient care in order to maximize teaching potential.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.