The Tennessee Medical Foundation is pleased to announce that Governor Bill Lee has signed a bill that maintains protection for patients while reducing mental health stigma for physician seeking a medical license in Tennessee.
The Private Advocacy Order Bill, HB 1203/SB 359, was sponsored by State Sen. Richard Briggs, MD (R-Knoxville), and State Rep. Sabi Kumar, MD (R-Springfield).
The bill allows certain qualified physician applicants to obtain an unrestricted TN medical license; it also allows the Board of Medical Examiners and Board of Osteopathic Examination to issue an order during a private executive session requiring monitoring by an approved organization like the TMF. Since by law, this order is not a restriction on the license, it is not reportable to the National Practitioner Data Bank. Failure to maintain monitoring could lead to an investigation and possible discipline, which would be reportable to the Data Bank.
Previously, this would be a conditional license requiring a report to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB).
“We are grateful to Governor Lee, Commissioner of Health Dr. Ralph Alvarado, Sen. Briggs, Rep. Kumar, and many other state leaders for their role in this landmark legislation,” said TMF Medical Director Michael Baron, MD, MPH, DFASAM. Dr. Baron, who met with Commissioner Alvarado to initiate the bill, highlighted the efforts of former BME member and current TMF Board member Reeves Johnson, MD, of Knoxville, for his advocacy in passing the measure.
“This new law protects the public by ensuring the confidentiality of physicians seeking a Tennessee medical license, who are safe to practice, as long as they maintain their health with verification and support through the TMF,” Dr. Baron added.