(NASHVILLE) — Recently, Republican lawmakers supported passage of an initiative sponsored by House Republican Caucus Chairman Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville) that reduces unnecessary burdens on Tennessee’s physicians.
House Bill 1927, which passed by a 94-0 vote tally, ensures that physicians will not have to leave patients in their communities behind to complete their maintenance of certification for licensure in our state.
Additionally, this initiative gives local hospitals or medical communities more autonomy in determining whether maintenance of certification is a requirement for physician credentialing. Should a hospital or facility desire it, they would have to adopt bylaws making maintenance of certification a stipulation for work or network participation.
“House Bill 1927 streamlines our state’s employment processes for our physicians so they can focus all of their efforts and energy on better serving their patients,” said Chairman Williams. “We must continue to support our physicians and eliminate ineffective job requirements so that we can attract and retain the best and brightest from the medical profession. This will improve the overall quality of healthcare that our residents receive.”
According to the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA), maintenance of certification is seen as a costly, burdensome, and valueless requirement for our state’s physicians.
“TMA’s goal, after years of complaints from our member physicians about MOC testing requirements, was simply to give doctors options for maintaining and improving their professional competency. Doctors should not be forced by hospitals or insurance companies to participate in an arbitrary certification process that has not been shown to improve quality of care. This bill gives much-needed relief for doctors who may choose Continuing Medical Education or other forms of ongoing learning. Thanks to Rep. Williams and the other members of our state legislature, Tennessee is now one of few states developing real solutions to this national issue,” said Nita W. Shumaker, MD, TMA President 2017-2018.
For more information about House Bill 1927, please click here.
Ryan Williams serves as Chairman of the House Republican Caucus. He also serves as a member of the House Finance, Ways & Means Committee and Subcommittee, as well as the House Government Operations, House Health, and the House Calendar & Rules Committees. Williams lives in Cookeville and represents House District 42, which includes a portion of Putnam County. He can be reached by email at Rep.Ryan.Williams@capitol.tn.gov or by calling (615) 741-1875.