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Legislative/Regulatory News

Legislative News:

Important - HB-1256: Referred to PROFESSIONAL
LICENSURE committee, May 21, 2007 (Bill Update Below)

See What the CRNAs Believe . . .
PANA's Communication to PA Legislators and Position Statement on HB 1256

Physician involvement in the administration of anesthesia in Pennsylvania will be limited by parts of the Governor’s Health Care Reform Act.  Click here for details and information on testimony given by CRNAs at House hearings.

House Bill 1256 - CRNA Independent Practice Act
In February of this year, Governor Rendell proposed expanding the scope of practice for six mid-level healthcare practitioners: physician assistant, nurse-midwife, nurse practitioner, nurse clinical specialist, dental hygienist, and certified registered nurse anesthetist. Legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives in May to implement the Governor's proposals: House Bills 1251 and 1252 for PAs, 1253 for NPs, 1254 for Clinical Nurse Specialists, 1255 for nurse-midwives, 1256 for CRNAs and 1257 for dental hygenists.

The House Professional Licensure Committee voted all of the bills, except HB 1256 (CRNAs), out of committee unanimously in June. The full House and Senate passed all of the bills unanimously in June and July, except HB 1256, and sent them to the Governor. The Governor signed every bill into law on July 20, except for HB 1256, which is still in Committee.

The outpouring of opposition by members of the PSA and the PMS was instrumental in stopping any action by the legislature to eliminate physician supervision of the administration of anesthesia. This opposition must continue if we wish to keep this legislation in Committee.

It is extremely important that every anesthesiologist make an attempt to attend the PSA Legislative Reception on Monday, October 1, from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. at the Harrisburg Hilton & Towers, to personally thank each and every member of the House and Senate for their support of quality healthcare in Pennsylvania. See the link on the home page for more information and details on how to register.


Regulatory News:

Self-Reporting Requirement

Regulatory Issues

The Physician Self-Reporting Provision of Act 13
(October 2004)

As of May 19, 2002, physicians are obligated to report to their licensure board (either the State Board of Medicine or State Board of Osteopathic Medicine) within 60 days of the occurrence of the following: notice of a civil malpractice lawsuit, notice of a disciplinary action against the physician by the licensing authority of another state, any controlled substance conviction, and any arrest for a criminal offense such as homicide, assault, sexual offenses, and controlled substance violations.

Reports to the appropriate licensure board must include the physician’s name and business address, the date the physician was served, the court where the case was filed, the Docket number (the number assigned by the court), a brief description of the allegations, and a copy of the civil complaint or court documents relating to a disciplinary action, controlled substance conviction, or criminal offense arrest. Often a physician will be notified of an action by either a Writ of Summons or a complaint. A Writ notifies you that you have been sued, but provides no detail. A complaint describes the alleged factual basis for the lawsuit. While you will want to report receipt of a Writ of Summons to your professional liability carrier, the licensure boards only want you to report when you actually receive the complaint.

When all the required information is accumulated, send the report to:

State Board of Medicine
Attn: Mcare Reports
P.O. Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649

State Board of Osteopathic Medicine
Attn: Mcare Reports
P.O. Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649

The Department of State’s Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation have developed criteria and standards for review of reports to the respective licensure boards based on the frequency and severity of complaints filed against a physician.

Failure to report will result in a $1000 fine.