READ FIRST TIME 03/02/09.   

     AN ACT Relating to physicians holding a retired active license; amending RCW 18.71.080, 18.130.250, and 43.70.110; adding a new section to chapter 18.71 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that increasing the number of retired physicians who provide volunteer health care services is a cost-effective way to improve access to health care for many citizens of this state. Physicians holding a retired active license must currently meet many of the same requirements as physicians in active practice, including at least fifty hours of continuing education a year, despite the fact that retired active physicians may only practice a maximum of ninety days a year, are limited to providing primary care services, and are limited to providing such services only in community clinics that are operated by public or private tax-exempt corporations. This presents both financial and practical barriers for retired physicians who wish to provide health care services on a volunteer basis, barriers that are not as stringent in other states that provide similar licenses for retired physicians. It is therefore the intent of the legislature to ease some of these barriers in a manner that does not adversely affect public safety.

Sec. 2   RCW 18.71.080 and 1996 c 191 s 52 are each amended to read as follows:
     Every person licensed to practice medicine in this state shall pay licensing fees and renew his or her license in accordance with administrative procedures and administrative requirements adopted as provided in RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280. A physician who resides and practices in Washington and obtains or renews a retired active license shall be exempt from licensing fees imposed under this section. The commission may establish rules governing mandatory continuing education requirements which shall be met by physicians applying for renewal of licenses. The rules shall provide that mandatory continuing education requirements may be met in part by physicians showing evidence of the completion of approved activities relating to professional liability risk management. The number of hours of continuing education for a physician holding a retired active license shall not exceed fifty hours per year. The commission, in its sole discretion, may permit an applicant who has not renewed his or her license to be licensed without examination if it is satisfied that such applicant meets all the requirements for licensure in this state, and is competent to engage in the practice of medicine.

Sec. 3   RCW 18.130.250 and 1991 c 229 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     The disciplining authority may adopt rules pursuant to this section authorizing a retired active license status. An individual credentialed by a disciplining authority regulated in the state under RCW 18.130.040, who is practicing only in emergent or intermittent circumstances as defined by rule established by the disciplining authority, may hold a retired active license at a reduced renewal fee established by the secretary under RCW 43.70.250 or, for a physician regulated pursuant to chapter 18.71 RCW who resides and practices in Washington and holds a retired active license, at no renewal fee. Except as provided in RCW 18.71.080, such a license shall meet the continuing education or continued competency requirements, if any, established by the disciplining authority for renewals, and is subject to the provisions of this chapter. Individuals who have entered into retired status agreements with the disciplinary authority in any jurisdiction shall not qualify for a retired active license under this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 18.71 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The commission shall consider amending its rules on retired active physicians in a manner that improves access to health care services for the citizens of this state without compromising public safety. When considering whether to amend its rules, the commission shall, at a minimum, consider the following:
     (a) Whether physicians holding retired active licenses should be allowed to provide health care services beyond primary care;
     (b) Whether physicians holding retired active licenses should be allowed to provide health care services in settings beyond community clinics operated by public or private tax-exempt corporations; and
     (c) The number and type of continuing education hours that physicians holding retired active licenses shall be required to obtain.
     (2) The commission shall determine whether it will amend its rules in the manner suggested by this section no later than November 15, 2009. If the commission determines that it will not amend its rules, it shall provide a written explanation of its decision to the appropriate committees of the legislature no later than December 1, 2009.

Sec. 5   RCW 43.70.110 and 2007 c 259 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The secretary shall charge fees to the licensee for obtaining a license. Physicians regulated pursuant to chapter 18.71 RCW who reside and practice in Washington and obtain or renew a retired active license are exempt from such fees. After June 30, 1995, municipal corporations providing emergency medical care and transportation services pursuant to chapter 18.73 RCW shall be exempt from such fees, provided that such other emergency services shall only be charged for their pro rata share of the cost of licensure and inspection, if appropriate. The secretary may waive the fees when, in the discretion of the secretary, the fees would not be in the best interest of public health and safety, or when the fees would be to the financial disadvantage of the state.
     (2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, fees charged shall be based on, but shall not exceed, the cost to the department for the licensure of the activity or class of activities and may include costs of necessary inspection.
     (3) License fees shall include amounts in addition to the cost of licensure activities in the following circumstances:
     (a) For registered nurses and licensed practical nurses licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW, support of a central nursing resource center as provided in RCW 18.79.202, until June 30, 2013;
     (b) For all health care providers licensed under RCW 18.130.040, the cost of regulatory activities for retired volunteer medical worker licensees as provided in RCW 18.130.360; and
     (c) For physicians licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW, physician assistants licensed under chapter 18.71A RCW, osteopathic physicians licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW, osteopathic physicians' assistants licensed under chapter 18.57A RCW, naturopaths licensed under chapter 18.36A RCW, podiatrists licensed under chapter 18.22 RCW, chiropractors licensed under chapter 18.25 RCW, psychologists licensed under chapter 18.83 RCW, registered nurses licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW, optometrists licensed under chapter 18.53 RCW, mental health counselors licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW, massage therapists licensed under chapter 18.108 RCW, clinical social workers licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW, and acupuncturists licensed under chapter 18.06 RCW, the license fees shall include up to an additional twenty-five dollars to be transferred by the department to the University of Washington for the purposes of RCW 43.70.112.
     (4) Department of health advisory committees may review fees established by the secretary for licenses and comment upon the appropriateness of the level of such fees.