Dive Brief:
- A bill pending in the California State Senate, recently rejected by lawmakers, would have required physicians to notify patients when on probation by the Medical Board of California.
- However, physicians still must disclose this information to hospitals and insurers.
- The bill was opposed by the California Medical Association, which said it would eliminate due process for physicians but was supported by the Consumers Union in that it could make patients safer, the California Business Journal reports.
Dive Insight:
Probation status for offenses physicians would have been required to disclose included gross negligence, sexual misconduct, repeated inappropriate medication prescribing, as well as alcohol and drug abuse.
The California Medical Board rejected a similar proposed rule last year requiring patient notification. Consumer groups argue the Medical Board doesn't discipline physicians quickly enough nor provide adequate transparency to patients.
Close to 500 physicians in California were on probation last year for various violations, according to the Sacramento Business Journal.