Physician Voices for Patient Safety

Resources


On this page:

About the bill
Impact on patients in DC
Impact of physicians in DC
What can you do?
Resources

About the bill

In November 2023, DC Health introduced B25-545, the Health Occupations Revisions General Amendment Act of 2023. This bill was a comprehensive rewrite of the law overseeing medical licensing and regulation in Washington, DC. Unfortunately, the bill as written overhauled scope of practice, place allied health professionals in oversight positions of medical licensing, and remove the physician from the center of the care team. After much work and a number of legislative wins, the bill passed the Council on May 7.

MSDC has long advocated that a physician is the most qualified professional at the head of a care team. Physicians have the most health education and pre-practice experience of any health professional, and thus must be involved in all but the most mundane health care decisions. Allied health professionals are a valuable part of the care team, but their medical education and experience limits their role.

The Medical Society of the District of Columbia (MSDC) is the leading voice for physicians in Washington, DC, committed to uniting physicians to advocate for physician-led health care in Washington, DC that protects patients from harm and increases access to quality care. MSDC is leading a coalition of Washington, DC specialty medical societies to advocate against the Health Occupations Revisions General Amendment Act of 2023.

 

Impact on DC medicine

Below is a breakdown of some of the major changes the bill contains; click on the title to expand how the bill would change that item.

 

Board of Medicine

Currently the Board of Medicine is composed of 10 physicians and 4 members of the public. The bill as amended would reduce the number of physicians to 9 and adds 2 physician assistants but keep the four members of the public health.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

The concern: The bill would codify that APRNs could independently diagnose, prescribe, and administer medicine.

The details: See the analysis from G2L Law Firm on the APRN provisions | See our one-pager on this issue that you can share with colleagues and the Council

The solutions: Independent Advanced Certified Nurse Practitioners should have a defined scope of practice limited to the following functions:

  • Practice only in the field of certification;
  • Comprehensive physical assessment of patients;
  • Certify to the clerk of the court that an adult has given birth;
  • Certify to the Transportation authority that an individual has special needs for certain health reasons;
  • Complete date of birth and medical information on a birth certificate;
  • Complete a death certificate if medical examiner does not take charge and deceased was under the care of the PN;
  • Establish medical diagnosis of common short-term and chronic stable health problems;
  • File a replacement death certificate;
  • Issue a “do not resuscitate order” in medical emergencies;
  • Order, perform, and interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests;Prescribe drugs and devices under DC controlled substance Schedules II-V with a valid DEA license, and medical marijuana under DC laws;
  • Provide emergency care within the scope of their skills;
  • Refer patients to appropriate licensed physicians or other health care providers;
  • Certify to utility company that a client has a serious illness or the need for life-support equipment;
  • Witness an advanced directive;
  • Sign off on home health/care orders.
Anesthesiologists and applying anesthesia

The concern: As seen below, additional allied health professions are permitted to apply anesthesia. Most concerning is the scope expansion that could permit nurse anesthetists to practice without physician collaboration.

The details: See our one-pager on this issue that you can share with colleagues and the Council

The solution: This bill asks to repeal Section 603 of DC official code ₰3-1206.03, and this action will allow nurse anesthetists to administer anesthesia without an anesthesiologist or other physician's direct collaboration. Language seeking repeal of Section 603 of DC official code ₰3-1206.03 should not be included.

This bill adds Sec. 605a, which contains language that a CRNA may plan and deliver anesthesia, pain management, and related care to patients or clients of all health complexities across the lifespan. Language adding Sec. 605a should be removed from this bill.

Athletic Trainers
The bill repeals law that requires limiting athletic trainers to only providing first aid, opening the door to athletic trainers potentially practicing some form of medicine.
Audiologists

The expands audiologists' scope to include "cerumen management" and "interoperative neurophysiologic monitoring" and permits audiologists to screen for cognitive, depression and vision.

Chiropractors

The bill completely rewrites the definition of the practice of "chiropractic". Chiropractors could:

  • Diagnose and treat biomechanical or physiological conditions that compromise neural integrity or organ system function
  • Refer patients for further medical treatment or diagnostic testing

The details: See our one-pager on this issue that you can share with colleagues and the Council

Pharmacists

The bill would expand pharmacists' scope to include:

  • Ordering labs
  • Scheduling and monitoring drug therapy
  • Ordering, interpreting, and performing more tests

The details: See our one-pager on this issue that you can share with colleagues and the Council

Physical Therapists

The bill would permit physical therapists to independently evaluate and treat disability, injury, or disease. PTs may also order imaging as part of their treatment plan.

Podiatrists

The concern: The bill expands podiatrists scope of practice to allow:

  • apply anesthesia as part of treatment; and
  • administer vaccines and injections.

The details: See our one-pager on this issue that you can share with colleagues and the Council

Nursing

Throughout the bill, restrictions on nursing scope of practice are removed or loosened throughout. Specific language outlining what and how nurses can practice is removed and replaced with more vague language giving the Mayor (read DC Health) the ability to dictate scope. This applies to many different nursing types, like APRNs and NPs.

Articles on scope of practice

 

MSDC Advocates for Physician-Patient Relationship in Hearing Aid Testimony

Feb 6, 2020, 19:55 PM by Robert Hay
MSDC submitted testimony last week advocating for the value of the physician-patient relationship, in response to a hearing on a bill to regulate hearing aid sales.
MSDC submitted written testimony this week on legislation that would regulate the sales and fittings of hearing aids. In the letter, MSDC highlighted the value of the physician-patient relationship and an emphasis on whole person health.

The bill, B-23 565 the Hearing Aid Sales Amendment Act of 2019, would permit an adult to seek medical clearance for the purchase and fitting of a hearing aid from an otolaryngologist or any licensed physician. The intent of the legislation is to make it easier for a person to receive a hearing aid without needing to wait for an ENT appointment. 

At the bill's hearing, two of the witnesses praised the legislation's language but suggested the addition of a physician waiver. Their argument was that persons with hearing impairment do not necessarily need the hassle of visiting a physician when they either know what their impairment is or an audiologist can provided the needed medical support.

MSDC argues in its testimony (see below) that before a medical device is inserted into a patient, a whole health exam is a common-sense step to ensure any issues related to hearing are not related to another physical ailment. While audiologists are important parts of a care team for a patient, they do not have the whole body knowledge to diagnose additional medical issues.

The bill likely will be marked up in committee in the coming weeks. MSDC welcomes comments and thoughts from its members and the public.
B23-565 testimony

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