The California Medical Board had one job to do when it came to protecting patients from doctors on probation: Make it easier for patients to know. The Board failed, and now state Senator Jerry Hill is trying to rectify that error by proposing legislation.
SB 1033 would force the Board to require a physician or surgeon to disclose to their probationary status to patients before each visit while the physician or surgeon is on probation under specified circumstances, including the board finding the physician or surgeon committed gross negligence or the physician or surgeon having been on probation repeatedly.
The bill was introduced after the Medical Board turned down a similar proposal by Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy division of Consumer Reports, to require patient notification in such cases.
“Californians have a right to know when their doctor has been put on probation for serious offenses that could put patients at risk,” said Lisa McGiffert, manager of Consumers Union’s Safe Patient Project. “This bill will ensure that Californians get the notice they deserve about doctors with a history of misconduct that could jeopardize their health.”
