Growing pressure to control prescription drug abuse has prompted a number of states to strengthen the way medical boards regulate and discipline physicians in recent years, according to an American Medical News report. The number of board actions against physicians increased 6.8 percent between 2010 and 2011 alone, according to the Federation of State Medical Boards.
Recent legislation altering state medical board policies includes:
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Recent legislation altering state medical board policies includes:
- A 2008 Washington law created a five-year pilot project to grant the Washington State Medical Quality Assurance Commission greater control over its staff and budget, leading to a 42.1 percent rise in the commission's actions since 2007.
- Following an unfavorable legislative audit in 2011, the Maryland Board of Physicians appointed a new executive director, and the governor now has authority to appoint a board chair. New protocols will determine the penalties physicians face for infractions, whereas case outcomes were previously determined on an individual basis.
- The Delaware Board of Medical Practice was renamed the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline in 2011, and the board was given the ability to immediately revoke or suspend a medical license. The state also increased the potential fines for failing to report unprofessional conduct by a physician to $10,000 for the first offense and up to $50,000 for subsequent offenses.
- The number of actions taken by the Texas Medical Board rose 90.6 percent in 2011 due to the state's growing physician population and an increased focus on preventing prescription drug abuse. In 2009, legislators enacted a law requiring the certification and regulation of pain management clinics.
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