SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5548
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As of February 25, 2011
Title: An act relating to increasing the number of primary health care providers in Washington.
Brief Description: Regarding institutions of higher education prohibiting hospitals or physicians from entering into agreements to provide clinical rotations or residencies to certain medical students.
Sponsors: Senators King and Keiser.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 2/10/11.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE |
Staff: Rhoda Donkin (786-7465)
Background: The Medical Quality Assurance Commission (Commission) establishes standards for the issuance of licenses to physicians and surgeons, while the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (Board) establishes standards for osteopathic physicians and surgeons. The general standards for both professions require (1) graduation from an approved medical school; (2) completion of a residency or other postgraduate training program; (3) a work history since graduation; (4) a verification of all admitting or specialty hospital privileges granted within five years of application; and (5) a verification of all states where the applicant is credentialed.
To meet the Commission's postgraduate training requirement, the applicant for a physician or surgeon's license must have completed a two-year program accredited by either the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. To meet the Board's postgraduate training requirement, the applicant for an osteopathic physician or surgeon's license must have completed either a nationally approved one-year internship or the first year of a residency program approved by the American Osteopathic Association of the American Medical Association.
Summary of Bill: Entities that receive state funds may not prohibit a hospital or physician from entering into an agreement to provide student clinical rotations or residencies to qualified osteopathic or allopathic medical students.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Pacific Northwest University is producing future primary care doctors, which is a great benefit to the state. With the new classes of medical students needing clinical rotations, a system has to be developed to create more slots for this training. The bill promotes the collaborative development of training capacity in Washington which needs increased equity of access and improved patient care. The Pacific Northwest needs to develop a structure to create the capacity to train physicians regionally. Exclusive contracts truncate training capacity.
OTHER: A regional forum has been established to attempt to develop interest in creating new medical training opportunities. The University of Washington Medical School preceptorships do not have exclusivity clauses. Preceptors are unpaid volunteers and the challenge is to find enough people willing to do this training for all of the state's medical students.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator King, prime sponsor; Dr. Robyn Philips - Madson, Gretchen Eickmeyer, Pacific Northwest University.
OTHER: Jackie Der, UW School of Medicine; Lisa Thatcher, WSHA.