State Medical Boards Should Learn From Arizona

November 27, 2013 1349 Views Green Buildilng Council Brazil, Green Building Council Italia, Greenbuild International Conference Expo, Health Care Expansion, Mary Beckerle, New Cancer Research Center, University of Utah Cancer Center, Western U.S.

PHOENIX — Other state agencies should take heed of the problems of the Arizona Medical Board (AMB) and review their own policies, according to Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens’ Aide Dennis Wells.

The board ignored laws and rules concerning physician licensing when it streamlined the medical licensing process, Wells said. A report issued by the aide found that 2,083 doctors practicing in Arizona received their licenses without receiving a background check.

“It is my belief that the report is a wake-up call and that every state agency should review with the attorney general how they’re following the law,” Wells said to the state’s Joint Health and Human Services Committee. “Our message to all state agencies is: Don’t let this happen in your shop.”

The report, which released in October, was prompted by allegations made by medical board employees. The study identified physicians who did not receive background checks between August 2011 and August 2013 and also found that the board’s Executive Director Lisa Wynn and Deputy Director Amanda Diehl violated more than 20 state laws. Wynn was terminated from her position just days after the report was released.

In response, the AMB asked the state’s auditor general to perform an independent audit to ensure that all physicians who received a license during the two-year period meet the basic requirements for licensure.

The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) released a statement to the legislature’s health committee that the allegations made by former medical board members are just a few of the numerous problematic issues of the AMB. The board, the AAPS said, has had biased experts, demonstrated tolerance for unethical and possibly criminal acts, and has failed to enforce term limits for AMB members. In total, the AAPS described 10 complaints concerning the procedures of the AMB.

“Physicians do not have confidence in the integrity or competence of the AMB. Formal referral to the attorney general’s office for investigation is warranted not only in the interest of justice, but to restore public confidence. In addition, a meaningful oversight process needs to be established,” the AAPS said in a statement.