SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6196

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.

Title: An act relating to requiring physicians and physician assistants to provide requested demographic information at the time of license renewal.

Brief Description: Requiring physicians and physician assistants to provide requested demographic information at the time of license renewal.

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Becker, Chair; Dammeier, Vice Chair; Pedersen, Ranking Member; Angel, Bailey, Cleveland, Keiser and Parlette.

Background: The Medical Quality Assurance Commission (Commission) establishes and monitors qualifications for licensure of physicians and physician assistants, and enforces practice standards and professional conduct through discipline and continuing education. Physicians and physician assistants renew their licenses on a two-year cycle, in accordance with Commission rules and on a form approved by the Commission. The Commission must request licensees to submit information about their current professional practice at the time of license renewal. This information includes practice setting, medical specialty, board certification, or other relevant data determined by the Commission.

Licensees are not required to provide the information requested of them by the Commission.

Summary of Bill: The Commission must request physicians and physician assistants to submit information about their current professional practice at the time of license renewal and licensees must provide the information requested.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Demographic information is needed to assist in health care planning purposes and for other purposes such as disaster planning or determining the number of primary care providers in the state.