Legislative Interference with the Practice of Medicine

On October 13, 2013, in response to recent and alarming trends at the Statehouse, the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians Board of Directors adopted a policy statement opposing legislative interference with the practice of medicine.

Legislation that mandates certain physician behavior or communication without regard to the patients’ best interest shows a disturbing indifference for the patient-physician relationship and evidence-based medicine.

The OAFP strongly opposes any proposed or adopted legislation that infringes or has the potential to infringe on the clinical practice of medicine, that interferes with the patient-physician relationship, or that nullifies the professional judgment of physicians by:
  • Dictating or restricting the nature and content of communications with patients
  • Requiring physicians to provide diagnostic tests or procedures that are not supported by evidence or clinical relevance
  • Requiring that certain procedures or treatments be delayed without regard to medical condition.
Recent legislative enactments of concern include:

Additional Information and Resources