For decades now, California doctors - like those in many other states - have had a special program available to them which encouraged seeking treatment for drug or alcohol abuse by permitting them to continue practicing while keeping their problems confidential from patients and the public.
As we reported last year, the California Medical Board voted to end this program this coming June 30th (to read that previous article, CLICK HERE).
Last week a "summit" was held before the Medical Board in Sacramento to further discuss the issue with passions running high on both sides.
Doctors and counselors testified that without a new confidential program, many would just refuse to get treatment, thus putting the public at even greater risk.
Those favoring the elimination of the program cited audits showing that the program didn't even work (at rehabilitating doctors) and that, regardless, the safety of the public was of paramount concern and allowing doctors to continue practicing while keeping their abuses secret left the public in extreme danger.
Since any new confidential program would now require new legislation prior to June 30th - and given the public's clear concern for greater transparency when it comes to knowing which doctors are drug or alcohol abusers - don't put your money on any new confidential program becoming law before the old program dies in July!
Assuming the program ends, we can expect quicker public disclosure of disciplinary actions taken again abusing doctors.
Whether this will result in greater risk to the public (by doctors refusing to "out" themselves), or more protection for the public (by providing vital information about their doctors), only time will tell...
To read the copyrighted story from the source listed at the top of this article,
PLEASE CLICK HERE. *
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