HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1431

As Passed Legislature

Title: An act relating to increasing the number of members on the board of osteopathic medicine and surgery.

Brief Description: Increasing the number of members on the board of osteopathic medicine and surgery.

Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Slatter, Cody and Jinkins; by request of Department of Health).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care & Wellness: 2/10/17, 2/17/17 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/27/17, 96-0.

Passed Senate: 3/31/17, 46-0.

Passed Legislature.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 17 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Macri, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Graves, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Caldier, Clibborn, DeBolt, Harris, Jinkins, MacEwen, Maycumber, Riccelli, Robinson, Rodne, Slatter, Stonier and Tharinger.

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

The Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery.

An osteopathic physician is a person authorized to use any and all methods in the treatment of disease, injuries, deformities, and all other physical and mental conditions in humans, including the use of osteopathic manipulative therapy. An osteopathic physician assistant is a person authorized to practice osteopathic medicine pursuant to a delegation agreement with an osteopathic physician.

The disciplining authority for osteopathic physicians and osteopathic physician assistants is the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (BOMS). The BOMS has seven members who must be United States citizens and residents of Washington. One member of the BOMS must be a consumer and the remaining members must be actively practicing Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons.

Compensation of Part-Time Board Members.

Members of part-time boards and commissions often receive compensation for their work. The amount of compensation depends on which "class" the board or commission is in. For example, boards that provide licensing functions for a profession are designated as "class three." Members of class three groups are compensated $50 per day. Commissions that regulate health professions are designated as "class five." Members of class five groups are compensated $250 per day.

Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill:

Four members are added to the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (BOMS). The number of consumer members on the BOMS is increased from one to two. One osteopathic physician assistant is added to the BOMS. The two remaining additional members must be actively practicing osteopathic physicians.

The BOMS is designated as a class five group for purposes of compensation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The workload of the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (BOMS) has increased since its creation in 1979, but its membership has stayed the same. The BOMS oversees the practice of osteopathic physician assistants, so it is important for these providers to be represented. This bill will allow the BOMS to resolve complaints and address public safety issues more quickly. The BOMS places high value on citizen input and adding a physician assistant member will broaden the BOMS' perspective. Members of the BOMS get reimbursed $50 per day, while members of the Medical Quality Assurance Commission get reimbursed $250 per day. This bill has no General Fund impact; its costs are fee-supported.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Slatter, prime sponsor; John Tomchick, Washington Academy of Physician Assistants; David Knutson, Washington Osteopathic Medical Association; and Blake Maresh, Department of Health.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.