This week the Illinois House cleared legislation with an overwhelming majority of 115-2, which would extend the sunset date of the
Medical Practice Act until Dec. 31,
2014. The measure includes the following new provisions:
- If an applicant withdraws an application after receiving a written notice of intent to deny a license or permit, then the withdrawal must
be reported to the Federation of State Medical Boards.
- A new ground for discipline is added for violating the
Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program
Act.
- Language is added that requires all fines to be paid within 60
days, either after the effective date of the order or in accordance with
the terms in the order imposing the fine.
- The legislation codifies a current rule that requires program
directors of any post-graduate clinical training program to report to
the Disciplinary Board a person in a post-graduate clinical
training program who leaves for any reason before concluding the program.
- The Medical Licensing Board is specifically included along with the Disciplinary Board and medical coordinators as being indemnified for
any actions occurring within their scope of services on the board.
While it is positive that this legislation extends the
Medical Practice Act, it is disappointing that the
legislature continues to rubber stamp the sunsetfor only one year, rather
than the 10 years that ordinarily apply to other professional practice acts.
Next, this legislation (Amendment #3 to S.B. 1496) will go to the Senate
in November, as the Fall Veto Session continues.
See how House members voted.
In other news from Springfield, the buzz in the statehouse is that
certified professional midwives (CPMs) will once
again seek authority via legislation, rather than education. ISMS is vehemently
opposed to any legislation that would allow CPMs, who have little to no medical
education, to provide medical treatment to pregnant women. Stay
tuned.