HOUSE BILL REPORT

                   1255

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                         Health Care

Title:  An act relating to eligibility requirements for podiatric physicians and surgeons.

Brief Description:  Requiring podiatric physicians and surgeons to have one year of postgraduate podiatric medical training.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dellwo, Morris, Dyer, Flemming and Wood; by request of Department of Health.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Health Care, February 18, 1993, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 16 members:  Representatives Dellwo, Chair; L. Johnson, Vice Chair; Dyer, Ranking Minority Member; Ballasiotes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Campbell; Conway; Cooke; Flemming; R. Johnson; Lisk; Mastin; Mielke; Morris; Thibaudeau; and Veloria.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:  The practice of podiatric medicine and surgery is regulated by the state and only licensed podiatric physicians and surgeons may practice unless otherwise authorized by law.

In order for an applicant to take an examination for licensure, the applicant must furnish proof that the applicant has not engaged in unprofessional conduct specified by law; is not unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety as a result of a physical or mental impairment; and has satisfactorily completed a course in an approved school of podiatric medicine.

Currently there is no requirement that the applicant complete a postgraduate podiatric program, nor can persons enrolled in postgraduate podiatric programs practice podiatric medicine in connection with their training.

Summary of Bill: Applicants for licensure as podiatric physicians must complete one year postgraduate podiatric medical training. However applicants graduating before July 1, 1993, are exempted from this requirement.

The board of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery is authorized to issue licenses to persons enrolled in approved postgraduate podiatric training programs for practice solely in connection with the training program, and subject to supervision by a podiatric physician, physician, or osteopathic physician.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This bill was requested by the Department of Health to improve the qualifications for licensing podiatric physicians.  The additional requirement for postgraduate training is already being met by applicants for license.

Testimony Against:  None. 

Witnesses:  (Pro): Charles Waller, Board of Podiatric Physicians and Surgeons; and Dr. Ted Carlson, Melanie Stewart and Frank R. Morrison, Jr., Washington State Podiatric Medical Association.