BILL REQ. #:  S-1067.1 

Read first time 02/04/09.   Referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.

     AN ACT Relating to the license surcharge for the impaired physician program; and amending RCW 18.71.310 and 18.71A.020.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 18.71.310 and 2001 c 109 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The commission shall enter into a contract with the entity to implement an impaired physician program. The commission may enter into a contract with the entity for up to six years in length. The impaired physician program may include any or all of the following:
     (a) Entering into relationships supportive of the impaired physician program with professionals who provide either evaluation or treatment services, or both;
     (b) Receiving and assessing reports of suspected impairment from any source;
     (c) Intervening in cases of verified impairment, or in cases where there is reasonable cause to suspect impairment;
     (d) Upon reasonable cause, referring suspected or verified impaired physicians for evaluation or treatment;
     (e) Monitoring the treatment and rehabilitation of impaired physicians including those ordered by the commission;
     (f) Providing monitoring and continuing treatment and rehabilitative support of physicians;
     (g) Performing such other activities as agreed upon by the commission and the entity; and
     (h) Providing prevention and education services.
     (2) A contract entered into under subsection (1) of this section shall be financed by a surcharge of not less than twenty-five and not more than ((thirty-five)) fifty dollars per year on each license renewal or issuance of a new license to be collected by the department of health from every physician and surgeon licensed under this chapter in addition to other license fees. These moneys shall be placed in the impaired physician account to be used solely for the implementation of the impaired physician program.
     (3) The department of health may not withhold any part of the surcharge established in this section or assess any fees related to the collection and administration of the impaired physician program.

Sec. 2   RCW 18.71A.020 and 1999 c 127 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The commission shall adopt rules fixing the qualifications and the educational and training requirements for licensure as a physician assistant or for those enrolled in any physician assistant training program. The requirements shall include completion of an accredited physician assistant training program approved by the commission and within one year successfully take and pass an examination approved by the commission, if the examination tests subjects substantially equivalent to the curriculum of an accredited physician assistant training program. An interim permit may be granted by the department of health for one year provided the applicant meets all other requirements. Physician assistants licensed by the board of medical examiners, or the medical quality assurance commission as of July 1, 1999, shall continue to be licensed.
     (2)(a) The commission shall adopt rules governing the extent to which:
     (i) Physician assistant students may practice medicine during training; and
     (ii) Physician assistants may practice after successful completion of a physician assistant training course.
     (b) Such rules shall provide:
     (i) That the practice of a physician assistant shall be limited to the performance of those services for which he or she is trained; and
     (ii) That each physician assistant shall practice medicine only under the supervision and control of a physician licensed in this state, but such supervision and control shall not be construed to necessarily require the personal presence of the supervising physician or physicians at the place where services are rendered.
     (3) Applicants for licensure shall file an application with the commission on a form prepared by the secretary with the approval of the commission, detailing the education, training, and experience of the physician assistant and such other information as the commission may require. The application shall be accompanied by a fee determined by the secretary as provided in RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280. A surcharge of not less than twenty-five and not more than fifty dollars per year shall be charged on each license renewal or issuance of a new license to be collected by the department and deposited into the impaired physician account for physician assistant participation in the impaired physician program. Each applicant shall furnish proof satisfactory to the commission of the following:
     (a) That the applicant has completed an accredited physician assistant program approved by the commission and is eligible to take the examination approved by the commission;
     (b) That the applicant is of good moral character; and
     (c) That the applicant is physically and mentally capable of practicing medicine as a physician assistant with reasonable skill and safety. The commission may require an applicant to submit to such examination or examinations as it deems necessary to determine an applicant's physical or mental capability, or both, to safely practice as a physician assistant.
     (4) The commission may approve, deny, or take other disciplinary action upon the application for license as provided in the Uniform Disciplinary Act, chapter 18.130 RCW. The license shall be renewed as determined under RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280. The commission may authorize the use of alternative supervisors who are licensed either under chapter 18.57 or 18.71 RCW.
     (5) The department of health may not withhold any part of the surcharge established in this section or assess any fees related to the collection and administration of the impaired physician program.