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:

1. 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.
   
   
2. A new ground for discipline is added for violating the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act.
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. 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.
   
   
5. 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.