On February 28, the Federation of State Medical Boards’ (FSMB) Board of Directors released the following statement in opposition to a growing legislative trend aimed at limiting state medical boards’ ability to investigate complaints of patient harm:
“State medical boards protect patients by investigating complaints, evaluating the standard of care, and taking disciplinary action when appropriate. The FSMB opposes legislation intended to limit a board’s ability to conduct this important work as it sets a dangerous precedent and puts the public at risk. State legislatures are encouraged to work with their state medical boards to uphold existing statutory authority to respond to complaints about the quality of care provided and take disciplinary action against physicians when necessary to protect the public.”
A legislative summary of relevant bills the FSMB is tracking can be found online.