Senators Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.) have asked the HHS inspector general to start a federal investigation into state boards' oversight of physicians, according to a New Haven Independent report.
The senators point to numerous media reports that suggest substandard performance by state medical boards. In addition to reviewing the quality of state boards' oversight, the senators also suggest the OIG investigate and determine challenges for medical boards and possible legislative changes to facilitate easier transfer of information between federal bodies and state medical boards.
"Since the HHS-OIG has not issued a comprehensive evaluation of state medical boards in more than 15 years, it is critical that the HHS-OIG evaluate the effectiveness of state medical boards and provide recommendations to enhance their organizations’ efforts within each state and across state boundaries," the senators wrote in the letter. "With the adoption of advanced medical technologies, such as teleradiology, and an increase in physicians holding medical licenses in two or more states, it is becoming increasingly important that states issue timely board actions and coordinate licensure actions to protect the public from unqualified or marginally proficient practitioners."
The senators point to numerous media reports that suggest substandard performance by state medical boards. In addition to reviewing the quality of state boards' oversight, the senators also suggest the OIG investigate and determine challenges for medical boards and possible legislative changes to facilitate easier transfer of information between federal bodies and state medical boards.
"Since the HHS-OIG has not issued a comprehensive evaluation of state medical boards in more than 15 years, it is critical that the HHS-OIG evaluate the effectiveness of state medical boards and provide recommendations to enhance their organizations’ efforts within each state and across state boundaries," the senators wrote in the letter. "With the adoption of advanced medical technologies, such as teleradiology, and an increase in physicians holding medical licenses in two or more states, it is becoming increasingly important that states issue timely board actions and coordinate licensure actions to protect the public from unqualified or marginally proficient practitioners."
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