Dramatic Changes to the “One Bite Rule” proposed by the State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO)
Will this have a chilling effect on Ohio physicians and their patients?
Is this another example of intrusiveness/adversarial behavior by the SMBO?
Featuring guest speaker: Former Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton
The answer to the first question is almost certainly yes. As for the second, what are your thoughts? Many of your CMA colleagues feel passionately that, if imposed, the new legislation will result in unintended and tragic consequences for physicians and patients.
CMA agrees that there is good reason to be concerned about these issues. Therefore, we have invited former Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton to speak during our upcoming Fall program. Justice Stratton is serving as counsel for Ohio Physician Health Plan (OPHP) and assisting with the effort to revise the proposed changes by OPHP and the involvement of physicians is vital.
The bottom line, this is one of those issues that needs a community of physicians to come together to resolve.
Background: The State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) is actively drafting new legislation that would dramatically change the current system that allows physicians one chance to seek treatment by an approved provider for drug or alcohol issues (without self-reporting to the medical board). This option is referred to as the “One Bite Rule”. The dramatic changes that are being proposed would eliminate the “One Bite Rule” by requiring any physician seeking initial treatment to notify the medical board (which will determine if their case meets the requirements of their reporting system.) If not, the medical board will file a complaint and the physician will be actively investigated. Additionally, the new legislation would not address the growing issues of mental illness and physical disability—which are treated as a disciplinary matter under current statue.
Click here to register now
Event Details:
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Columbus Medical Association office building training center
1390 Dublin Rd. Columbus 43215 (click here for directions)
Cost: Member Physicians - Free / Guests/NonMember Physicians - $25.00