HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2048

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                         Health Care

Title:  An act relating to license renewal fees.

Brief Description:  Lowering licensing fees for older physicians.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Moyer, Prentice, Paris, Braddock, Holland, Sprenkle, D. Sommers, Beck, Miller, Nealey, Padden, Winsley, Forner, Silver and Sheldon.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Health Care, February 28, 1991, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: That Substitute House Bill No. 2048 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Minority Member; Casada, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cantwell; Edmondson; Franklin; Morris; Paris; Prentice; and Sprenkle.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:  Currently, a physician or physician assistant must hold a license to practice medicine which must be renewed annually upon the payment of an annual renewal registration fee.

There is no authority for the secretary to issue a license to a physician or physician assistant who is retired and desires to practice only intermittently.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The board by rule is authorized to establish a "retired active license" for retired physicians or physician assistants who wish to practice medicine on an emergent or intermittent basis. The secretary of health is to establish a reduced renewal fee for this license. The license is conditioned upon the meeting of continuing education requirements, and the license holder is subject to the Uniform Disciplinary Act.

This license however may not be given to any person who has entered into an agreement with any disciplinary authority to retire from active practice.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Physician assistants are covered by the "retired active license" as well as physicians. The license is conditioned upon the meeting of continuing education requirements, and the license holder is subject to the Uniform Disciplinary Act.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 22, 1991.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  It is important to retain qualified physicians in practice, even if they desire to practice only intermittently when they retire. Currently there is no authority for the board to grant this privilege to retired physicians and physician assistants at reduced license fees.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Jan Polek, Medical Disciplinary Board (pro); and William Robertson, Washington State Medical Association (pro).