SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 1255

     AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES,

                         MARCH 25, 1993

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

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Talmadge, Chairman; Wojahn, Vice Chairman; Deccio, Erwin, Franklin, Fraser, Hargrove, McAuliffe, McDonald, Moyer, Prentice, Sheldon, and Winsley.

Staff:  Scott Plack (786‑7409)

Hearing Dates: March 23, 1993; March 25, 1993

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 to take an examination for licensure, the applicant must furnish proof that he or she has not engaged in unprofessional conduct, is able to practice with reasonable skill and safety, 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:

Applicants for licensure as podiatric physicians must complete one year postgraduate podiatric medical training.  However, applicants graduating before July 1, 1993, are exempt from the requirement.

The Board of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery is authorized to issue a license without examination to podiatric physicians and surgeons in board-approved postgraduate training programs.  The podiatric physician and surgeon must meet all requirements for licensure except for the completion of one year of postgraduate training.

The board shall issue a postgraduate podiatric medicine and surgery license to allow physicians enrolled in a postgraduate program to practice in connection with the program.  Each podiatric physician in a postgraduate program must be supervised by a licensed podiatrist, osteopath or physician.  Postgraduate training licenses may be renewed annually.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

Requiring that podiatrists complete a postgraduate training program will improve the competency of these providers.  The requirement will not serve as a barrier to practice or exacerbate any shortages of podiatrists since plenty of residency programs are available.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Frank Morrison, Jr., Melanie Stewart, Washington State Podiatric Medical Association (pro); Bob Nicoloff, Washington State Podiatric Medical Board, Department of Health (pro)