Scope of Practice
MSDC has long advocated that a physician is the most qualified professional at the head of a care team. Physicians have the most health education and pre-practice experience of any health professional, and thus must be involved in all but the most mundane health care decisions.
Certain professional decisions critical to high quality patient care should always be the ultimate responsibility of the physician practicing in a health plan...
MSDC Policy Manual, 285.008 Physician Decision-Making
Recently we have seen pushes in other states to reduce the roles of physicians in health care or to try and extract health system "savings" by cutting physician reimbursement. MSDC has long advocated for fair reimbursement practices, the importance of physicians in health policy, and stopping the push to equate other health professionals' skills with physicians.
MSDC Statements and Testimony on Scope of Practice Issues
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How Telehealth Helps Prevent the Spread of COVID-19March 20, 2020
Telehealth is a critical component of a physician's practice during and after the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Health Entities Seeing Massive Increase in Ransonware AttacksMarch 10, 2020
Healthcare entities have seen a massive uptick in ransonware attacks, according to a leading commercial insurer.
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MSDC Advocates for Physician-Patient Relationship in Hearing Aid TestimonyFebruary 6, 2020
MSDC submitted testimony last week advocating for the value of the physician-patient relationship, in response to a hearing on a bill to regulate hearing aid sales.
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MSDC + 50 States + Specialty Orgs = Protect Patients Under MedicaidFebruary 1, 2020
MSDC joined all 50 state medical societies and 12 specialty societies in opposing a CMS rule that would alter Medicaid funding.
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Committee on Health Passes Bill Regulating Physician ReportingJanuary 29, 2020
Changes to B23-269, The Health Care Reporting Amendment Act of 2019, have made strict new reporting requirements less onerous to District physicians.
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Sample of Scope of Practice Legislation MSDC is Tracking
(See the whole list of bills here)
What does the bill do? It allows an adult seeking a hearing aid to receive medical clearance from any licensed physician, not just an otolaryngologis.
MSDC position: MSDC supports the legislation.
Current status: The bill received a hearing at the end of January and will likely be marked-up this spring.
What does the bill do? The bill imposes tighter reporting requirements on health practitioners and health facilities, requiring more reporting and imposing large fines for noncompliance.
MSDC position: MSDC opposed the original language, as it was ambiguous as to whether impaired physicians seeking treatment would need to be reported even if they were not a danger to others. Clarifying amendments to the legislation now requires only physicians with no hope of passing treatment to be reported.
Current status: The Committee on Health had a hearing in June 2019. The bill was marked up in January with the technical changes.
What does the bill do? The bill establishes a licensing process for midwives and allows certified professional midwives to supervise services at a maternity center.
MSDC position: MSDC did not take a formal position on this bill.
Current status: The bill had its first reading and passage in the entire Council in January. Its passage from the Council is expected at some point this Council session.