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Warnick sponsors
bill to encourage retired doctors to volunteer
The House Health Care and Wellness Committee heard
a bill Tuesday
that reduces the requirements for retired physicians to volunteer
medical services. Proposed by
Rep. Judy Warnick,
R-Moses Lake,
House Bill 1899 would allow retired physicians to provide free
services without having to pay high costs for continuing education
credits and licensing.
Dr. Bruce Noonan, a retired physician from Moses Lake, brought the need
for legislation to Warnick and testified before the committee. He told
Warnick in a letter, this "could benefit Washington by retaining a
cadre of licensed physicians who continue to pay for licensure and who
usually would not, and they could become available in times of medical
emergency."
Warnick said the proposal gives doctors flexibility to help out at
camps, free medical clinics and in places where access to medical care
is limited.
"There's always a need for medical assistance. Any help retired doctors
could provide should be appreciated, not discouraged," Warnick said.
"Retired physicians have knowledge and skills that are desperately
needed by non-profit organizations and in rural areas where there are
fewer doctors. There are many doctors who are willing to continue
working without pay, but we have mandates in their way preventing them
from helping their neighbors. The state should be looking at ways of
increasing access to good health care, not preventing access."
The bill includes a provision for the Medical Quality Assurance
Commission to determine the special licensing guidelines. Oregon has a
similar allowance for retired physicians by creating a special licensure
category and also allows retired doctors to write prescriptions.
# # #
Dr. Noonan
volunteering with a patient in El Salvador.
For more information, contact:
Sarah Lamb, Public Information
Officer - (360) 786-7720
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