HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2953

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                         Health Care

Title:  An act relating to registration of Oregon physicians for practice in nonprofit health clinics.

Brief Description:  Allowing a physician licensed in Oregon to register with the medical quality assurance commission to work at nonprofit health clinics in this state.

Sponsors:  Representatives Sherstad, Sterk, Koster, Carrell, McDonald and Carlson.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Health Care:  2/3/98 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Dyer, Chairman; Backlund, Vice Chairman; Skinner, Vice Chairman; Cody, Ranking Minority Member; Murray, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson; Conway; Parlette; Sherstad; Wood and Zellinsky.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:  Oregon physicians wishing to serve Washington residents must technically be licensed by the state Department of Health (DOH) and regulated by the state Medical Quality Assurance Commission in order to be legally authorized to practice in this state.  There are a number of Oregon physicians willing to donate their time to serve economically disadvantaged patients in non-profit health clinics located in Washington, but state licensing requirements currently prohibit this.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  A physician licensed by the state of Oregon to practice medicine or osteopathic medicine may register with the state Medical Quality Assurance Commission or Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery respectively to render health care services without remuneration to economically disadvantaged patients through non-profit health care clinics incorporated under the laws of the state of Washington.  Registration is deemed a waiver from state requirements for licensing, but registered physicians are otherwise subject to the state Uniform Disciplinary Act.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Registration is extended to osteopathic physicians.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  None.