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Warnick's
volunteer doctor bill approved by Senate
The
bill to increase medical access by encouraging retired doctors to
volunteer in their communities passed the Senate yesterday unanimously.
Rep.
Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, the prime sponsor of the
bill, was pleased at the collaborative work done on the bill.
House Bill 1899, amended since it passed the House, would exempt
retired active physicians from licensing fees to continue practice on a
volunteer basis. It would also ask the Medical Quality Assurance
Commission to review the number of required continuing education hours
for retired active physicians, where they can volunteer, the ability to
voluntarily practice beyond primary care and the number of days out of
the year they can volunteer.
"This bill started out trying to simply reduce credit hours required for
doctors, but it has evolved into an open discussion about how we can
effectively and safely encourage retired doctors to volunteer their
time," Warnick said. "We want to leave the authority to determine the
rules with the quality assurance commission, but I think it's important
for us to look at how we can improve access to medical care in community
clinics and other places."
Warnick said she hopes the commission will also consider expanding the
same consideration to other medical practitioners.
The bill will go back to the House for its agreement on the amendments
made in the Senate. If the House agrees, the bill will go to the
governor's desk for her signature.
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For more information, contact:
Sarah Lamb, Public Information
Officer - (360) 786-7720
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