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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, Regulation and Licensing Department

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 900 will provide a mechanism for the University of New Mexico Graduate Medical Education Department to allow osteopathic physicians to participate in postgraduate training programs. The other provisions of the bill accomplish the following:

• Changes the annual renewal to a triennial renewal to enhance the operation of the administrative process.



• Amends the language in existing statutes to provide clearer guidelines to ensure increased public protection.

Significant Issues

The primary purpose of this proposal is to add a provision in the statutes to provide a mechanism for the University of New Mexico Graduate Medical Education Department to allow osteopathic physicians to participate in postgraduate training programs. UNM has been approved for a Family Practice residency training program that will allow osteopathic physicians to enroll directly out of medical school. Since the University does not have jurisdiction over these students it is imperative that the state board becomes involved in providing this service to assure the residents are being overseen by a jurisdictional body.

Since the statute was written, protocols have changed. The bill updates the statute to be consistent with the Uniform Licensing Act and update current requirements of the profession.

The bill gives the Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners additional authority to hire investigators, contract for legal services and issue investigative subpoenas to investigate complaints.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The bill changes the renewal fee from an annual cycle with a maximum annual fee of $200 to a triennial cycle with maximum fee of $850. This raises the fee ceiling, however, actual fee increases would have to be approved by the Board. This change would benefit the licensees.

There is no appropriation in the bill and there would be no fiscal impact to the Board.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

The Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners recommends adding a provision to this bill to establish a fund in the state treasury entitled the "Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners Fund." This addition would provide uniformity with all other boards and commissions enacted in statutes.

On page 1, line 14 "MAKING APPROPRIATIONS" should be deleted. There are no appropriations made in the bill.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

According to the Regulation and Licensing Department, if this bill doesn't pass, osteopathic residents will not be able to participate in approved postgraduate programs and UNM will not have a jurisdictional body to oversee the process.

MV/ar